Frequency of associated anomalies in congenital hypoplasia of depressor anguli oris muscle: A study of 50 patients

Abstract

Aside from congenital heart disease, anomalies associated with unilateral hypoplasia of the depressor anguli oris muscle have not been well-documented in large series. We evaluated the associated anomalies in 50 infants or children with this disorder (male:female = 2:1) and found accompanying anomalies in 35 (70%) of 50 cases. They included anomalies of the head and neck (48%), heart (44%), skeleton (22%), genitourinary tract (24%), central nervous system (10%), gastrointestinal tract (6%), and miscellaneous minor anomalies (8%). Nearly half of our cases (22/50) had at least 2 associated systemic anomalies. Failure to thrive and psychomotor retardation were found in 5 (10%) and 3 (6%) patients, respectively, on follow-up. Three infants died neonatally of severe heart disorders, and the other one died of central nervous system anomalies. The above findings indicate that a thorough search for associated anomalies, particularly in the cardiovascular system, should be performed in all newborns with asymmetric crying face.

Congenital Hypoplasia of Depressor Angularis Oris Muscle

“…The facial nerve conduction time to the mentalis and orbicularis oris muscle are normal [4]. It is usually associated with cardiac, gastro-intestinal, genito-urinary anomalies and other malformations [1,2,5]. Our case was associated with cardiac anomalies in the form of dextrocardia.…”

“…Major congenital anomalies have been reported to be associated with this facial defect in 45-70% cases [1,2]. We report a case of CHDAOM in a neonate.…”

“…The incidence of CHDAOM is approx 3-6/ 1000 live birth and is often confused with facial nerve palsy [1,2]. The depressor angularis oris muscle (DAOM) originates from the oblique line of the mandible and extends upward and medially to the orbicularis oris.…”

“…Our case was associated with cardiac anomalies in the form of dextrocardia. The common anomalies seen are congenital heart disease (44%), head and neck (48%), skeletal (22%) and genitourinary tract anomalies (24%) [1]. CATCH 22 is a medical acronym for cardiac defects, abnormal facies, thymic hypoplasia, cleft palate, hypocalcemia and a variable deletion on chromosome 22q11.…”

Congenital Hypoplasia of Depressor Angularis Muscle

“…CHDAOM is reported to be associated with major congenital anomalies in 45-70% of cases. 1,2 We report a case of isolated unilateral CHDAOM in a neonate. KEYWORDS: Depressor angularis oris, Congenital anomaly, Asymmetric crying facies.…”