It is thought to result from a vascular disruption (temporary loss of bloodflow) in the brain during prenatal development. There can be many reasons for vascular disruption leading to Möbius syndrome. Most cases do not appear to be genetic. However, genetic links have been found in a few families. Some maternal trauma may result in impaired or interrupted blood flow (ischemia) or lack of oxygen (hypoxia) to a developing fetus. Some cases are associated with reciprocal translocation between chromosomes or maternal illness. In the majority of cases of Möbius syndrome in which autosomal dominant inheritance is suspected, sixth and seventh cranial nerve paralysis (palsy) occurs without associated limb abnormalities.The use of drugs and a traumatic pregnancy may also be linked to the development of Möbius syndrome. The use of the drugs misoprostol or thalidomide by women during pregnancy has been linked to the development of Möbius syndrome in some cases. Misoprostol is used to induce abortions in Brazil and Argentina as well as in the United States. Misoprostol abortions are successful 90% of the time, meaning that 10% of the time the pregnancy continues. Studies show that the use of misoprostal during pregnancy increases the risk of developing Möbius syndrome by a factor of 30. While this is a dramatic increase in risk, the incidence of Möbius syndrome without misoprostal use is estimated at one in 50000 to 100000 births (making the incidence of Möbius syndrome with misoprostol use, less than one in 1000 births).
RAPADILINO syndrome is an autosomal recessive disorder characterized by:
RA: radial ray defect
PA: patellar aplasia, arched or cleft palate
DI: diarrhea, dislocated joints
LI: little (short stature), limb malformation
NO: slender nose, normal intelligenceIt is more prevalent in Finland than elsewhere in the world. It has been associated with the gene RECQL4. This is also associated with Rothmund-Thomson syndrome and Baller-Gerold syndrome. References
External links

GeneReviews/NCBI/NIH/UW entry on Baller-Gerold Syndrome