Hemifacial microsomia (HFM) is a congenital disorder that affects the development of the lower half of the face, most commonly the ears, the mouth and the mandible. It usually occurs on one side of the face, but both sides are sometimes affected. If severe, it may result in difficulties in breathing due to obstruction of the trachea—sometimes even requiring a tracheotomy. With an incidence in the range of 1:3500 to 1:4500, it is the second most common birth defect of the face, after cleft lip and cleft palate. [1] HFM shares many similarities with Treacher Collins syndrome. Presentation
The clinical presentation of HFM is quite variable. The severity may depend on the extent of the area with an insufficient blood supply in utero, and the gestational age of the fetus at which this occurs. In some people, the only physical manifestation may be a small and underdeveloped external ear. In more severe cases, multiple parts of the face may be affected. Some people with HFM may have sensorineural hearing loss and decreased visual acuity or even blindness.It can be thought of as a particularly severe form of HFM, in which extracranial anomalies are present to some extent. Some of the internal organs (especially the heart, kidneys, and lungs) may be underdeveloped, or in some cases even absent altogether. The affected organs are typically on the same side as the affected facial features, but bilateral involvement occurs in approximately 10% of cases.
Christianson syndrome is an X linked syndrome associated with intellectual disability, microcephaly, seizures, ataxia and absent speech. Presentation
Onset of symptoms is normally within the first year of life with truncal ataxia and seizures. The head is small (microcephaly). Common facial abnormalities include:
Long narrow face
Prominent nose
Prominent jaw
Large ears
Open mouth
Thick eyebrowsOther common features include:
Uncontrolled drooling
Abnormal eye movementsThe associated intellectual disability is usually in the profound range. Those affected often have a happy demeanor with frequent smiling and spontaneous laughter. Genetics
This condition is caused by mutations in the SLC9A6 gene. This gene is located on the long arm of the X chromosome (Xq26.3). The gene encodes a sodium/hydrogen exchanger located in the endosomes. Mutations in this gene cause a rise in the pH of the endosomes.How this causes the clinical features is not known presently. The inheritance of this condition is X-linked dominant. Diagnosis
The diagnosis may be suspected on clinical grounds.It is made by sequencing the SLC9A6 gene. Differential diagnosis
Angelman syndrome
Spinocerebellar ataxia type 29

Management
There is presently no curative treatment. Management is supportive. Epidemiology
The prevalence is not known but this is considered to be a rare disease. History
This condition was first described in 1999. The causative mutation was discovered in 2008. == References ==