Glossoptosis Definition, Reason, Symptoms, Treatment & Prevention

Understanding

Glossoptosis is an abnormal formation of the tongue, which is a condition when the position of the tongue is behind and it also easily falls backward. This also causes the baby’s tongue to fall backwards towards the throat. This condition can close the respiratory tract and make it difficult for sufferers to breathe.

Sufferers will generally have difficulty sucking or swallowing properly. If allowed to linger without treatment, this condition can be life-threatening.

Symptom

There are several signs of glossoptosis. One of them is the physical changes, especially the anatomy of the oral cavity. The lower jaw (mandibular) has a characteristic that is short in size and is located towards the back, the position of the tongue is located towards the back and there is a gap in the roof of the mouth so that it is shaped like the letter “U” or cleft palate.

Those with this syndrome can experience breathing difficulties that generally occur at night, which is commonly called obstructive sleep apnea. This is a sleep disorder characterized by shortness of breath or snoring due to a blocked airway due to the tongue falling back.

In addition, there may be difficulty eating and drinking because of the abnormal anatomy of the oral cavity. This may cause aspiration or choking.

Not only that, there are also systemic symptoms that may be found, such as:

• Symptoms in the eye: can be hypermetropia (farsightedness), myopia (nearsightedness), astigmatism (cylindrical), corneal sclerosis, and narrowing of the tear ducts.
• Congenital heart defects: may be mild murmurs or pulmonary stenosis.
• Musculoskeletal disorders: disorders of having more than five fingers on one hand (polydactyly), or having fewer than five fingers on one hand (oligodactyly), crooked little finger, disorders of the spine, such as the spine being shaped like the letter “S” and slouched.
• Nervous disorders.
• Urinary tract disorders.

Reason

Glossoptosis is often associated with Pierre Robin Syndrome. In this syndrome, the baby’s lower jaw is formed by a slow process in the womb. As a result, the lower jaw forms a small size or what is also known as micrognathia and an open palate or cleft palate.

Until now, the cause of Pierre Robin syndrome is not known with certainty. However, generally this condition is inherited from genes carried by both parents of the patient. This syndrome can occur in both baby girls and boys.

Diagnosis

Doctors can determine the diagnosis of glossoptosis through a direct physical examination. In addition, the doctor will check the symptoms experienced to determine the certainty of the syndrome. This syndrome can also be known through an ultrasound examination during routine pregnancy checks.

Treatment

Treatment for glossoptosis depends on the severity. This can be done through further observation and monitoring. In some cases, as the patient grows, respiratory problems can go away on their own without surgery.

However, to overcome the problem of respiratory problems, the child can be laid face down. Generally, this method is quite helpful. If it is not effective, the doctor can perform assistive techniques by placing the airway through the mouth, laryngeal mask, or nasopharyngeal stent.

Meanwhile, eating or swallowing disorders are generally treated by feeding or breastfeeding in an upright position, if you are still breastfeeding, modifying bottles and nipples, using a nasogastric or orogastric feeding tube. and gastronomic placement.

Meanwhile, surgery can be performed if the patient has a small and short lower jaw (mandible) so that he experiences severe breathing problems and growth failure. Surgery on the palate ( cleft palate ) can generally be performed on children who are 12–18 months old.

Prevention

There is no way that can be done to prevent glossoptosis or Pierre Robin syndrome. However, this syndrome can be seen since the baby is still in the womb through an ultrasound examination.