Facial Asymmetry in a Crying Newborn: A Comparison of Two Cases and Review of Literature

Facial asymmetry in a crying newborn can be due to a variety of different causes. Neonatal asymmetric crying facies (NACF) is a specific phenotype, which is often underrecognized. It is defined as asymmetry of the mouth and lips with grimacing or smiling, but a symmetric appearance at rest. NACF nee...

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Main Authors: Shreyas Arya, Sunil K. Jain, Carol J. Richardson
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2017-01-01
Series:Case Reports in Pediatrics
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2017/6368239
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author Shreyas Arya
Sunil K. Jain
Carol J. Richardson
author_facet Shreyas Arya
Sunil K. Jain
Carol J. Richardson
author_sort Shreyas Arya
collection DOAJ
description Facial asymmetry in a crying newborn can be due to a variety of different causes. Neonatal asymmetric crying facies (NACF) is a specific phenotype, which is often underrecognized. It is defined as asymmetry of the mouth and lips with grimacing or smiling, but a symmetric appearance at rest. NACF needs to be differentiated from complete facial palsy in a newborn, which can occur due to traumatic or developmental etiologies. Developmental causes can be present in isolation or may be a part of a recognized syndrome. While asymmetric lower lip depression may be seen in both conditions, complete facial palsy is also associated with upper and mid face deformities. We present a case of NACF and compare it to a case of facial palsy due to perinatal trauma. The purpose of this case series is to clarify some of the confusing nomenclatures and highlight the differences in the physical exam findings, diagnosis, and eventual prognosis of these cases.
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spelling doaj-art-95d8591dac1b4adca6c67afb7d5528b72025-08-20T03:20:33ZengWileyCase Reports in Pediatrics2090-68032090-68112017-01-01201710.1155/2017/63682396368239Facial Asymmetry in a Crying Newborn: A Comparison of Two Cases and Review of LiteratureShreyas Arya0Sunil K. Jain1Carol J. Richardson2Department of Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, 3333 Burnet Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USADepartment of Pediatrics/Division of Neonatology, University of Texas Medical Branch Galveston, Waverley Smith Pavilion, Room 6.104, 301 University Blvd., Galveston, TX 77555-0526, USADepartment of Pediatrics, Division of Neonatology, University of Texas Medical Branch Galveston, Research Building 6, Room 3.300, 301 University Blvd., Galveston, TX 77555-0587, USAFacial asymmetry in a crying newborn can be due to a variety of different causes. Neonatal asymmetric crying facies (NACF) is a specific phenotype, which is often underrecognized. It is defined as asymmetry of the mouth and lips with grimacing or smiling, but a symmetric appearance at rest. NACF needs to be differentiated from complete facial palsy in a newborn, which can occur due to traumatic or developmental etiologies. Developmental causes can be present in isolation or may be a part of a recognized syndrome. While asymmetric lower lip depression may be seen in both conditions, complete facial palsy is also associated with upper and mid face deformities. We present a case of NACF and compare it to a case of facial palsy due to perinatal trauma. The purpose of this case series is to clarify some of the confusing nomenclatures and highlight the differences in the physical exam findings, diagnosis, and eventual prognosis of these cases.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2017/6368239
spellingShingle Shreyas Arya
Sunil K. Jain
Carol J. Richardson
Facial Asymmetry in a Crying Newborn: A Comparison of Two Cases and Review of Literature
Case Reports in Pediatrics
title Facial Asymmetry in a Crying Newborn: A Comparison of Two Cases and Review of Literature
title_full Facial Asymmetry in a Crying Newborn: A Comparison of Two Cases and Review of Literature
title_fullStr Facial Asymmetry in a Crying Newborn: A Comparison of Two Cases and Review of Literature
title_full_unstemmed Facial Asymmetry in a Crying Newborn: A Comparison of Two Cases and Review of Literature
title_short Facial Asymmetry in a Crying Newborn: A Comparison of Two Cases and Review of Literature
title_sort facial asymmetry in a crying newborn a comparison of two cases and review of literature
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2017/6368239
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