Apert Syndrome |Symptoms & Causes
What are the symptoms of Apert syndrome?
Children with Apert syndrome typically display the following:
- tall skull and high prominent forehead
- underdeveloped upper jaw
- prominent eyes that appear to be bulging out and may be spaced widely apart
- small nose
- fused fingers
- fused toes
- slower mental development due to the abnormal growth of the skull
- cleft palate
- vision problems caused by an imbalance of the eye muscles
- recurrent ear infections, which can lead to hearing loss
- difficulty breathing due to a small nose and airway passages
- increased perspiration (especially when asleep) due to hyperactive sweat glands
- 痤疮,尤其是在青春期
What causes Apert syndrome?
We don’t know the exact cause of Apert syndrome, but many experts believe it may be the result of a mutation in a gene called "fibroblast growth factor receptor 2," orFGFR2. The mutation occurs early in a pregnancy.
Because FGFR2 plays an important role in bone growth, disruption of it may cause certain traits of Apert syndrome, including:
- craniosynostosis: a birth defect in which one or more of the joints between the bones of your baby's skull close prematurely
- syndactyly: webbed or conjoined fingers
Apert syndrome can be inherited, or it may occur without a known family history. If one parent has Apert syndrome, there is a 50 percent chance that their child will be born with the disorder.
我们怎么照顾呢Apert syndrome?
Children diagnosed with Apert syndrome require a broad range of medical expertise, including:
- plastic surgeons
- oral surgeons
- neurosurgeons
- otolaryngologists (ear, nose and throat)
- dentists
- complex care physicians
- orthodontists
- geneticists
- speech pathologists
- audiologists
TheCraniofacial Programat Boston Children’s incorporates all of these specialists to care for more than 500 patients every year who have a range of craniofacial diagnoses. We are one of the oldest programs in the world, and our experience and commitment to innovative and compassionate care has established us as an international leader in treating children with Apert syndrome.
Apert Syndrome |Diagnosis & Treatments
How is Apert syndrome diagnosed?
Apert syndrome is usually diagnosed at birth based on physical signs such as a high, prominent forehead, underdeveloped upper jaw, prominent eyes, and fused fingers and/or toes. Fused fingers and toes distinguish Apert syndrome from other craniofacial disorders.
If your doctor suspects Apert syndrome is during your pregnancy, they may requestgenetic testingto confirm the diagnosis.
At Boston Children’s, babies diagnosed with Apert syndrome are seen by experts from a variety of specialties, includingcraniofacial surgery,genetics,neurosurgery, andhand and upper extremity surgery.
Our specialists may order several tests, including:
How is Apert syndrome treated?
Most often, children with Apert syndrome require multiple operations and procedures. At Boston Children’s. Our doctors have unparalleled expertise in the areas of care your child may need, including:
- Surgical techniques to improve skull shape and allow your child’s brain to have adequate space. These techniques include a minimally invasive option followed by helmet therapy, which some patients may qualify for if evaluated early in infancy.
- Midfacial advancement (also known as Le Fort III distraction) to bring forward the middle part of your child’s face, opening up the airway and protecting their eyes
- Treating airway obstruction
- Jaw surgery to help correct bite and jaw appearance and function.
- Complex operations to separate and straighten fingers and toes.
Learn more about the Craniofacial Program at Boston Children’s Hospital.
Timeline of treatment
geneticist, and hand surgeion
Calverial Vault Remodeling (CVR)
release procedures
Thumb strightening/elongation
Le Fort I advancement
Frontal cranioplasty
How we care for Apert syndrome
At Boston Children’s, we use a collaborative and coordinated approach to care for children with Apert syndrome. This includes:
- nationally recognized care:ob 游戏 ranks Boston Children's Hospital higher in more specialties than any other children's hospital.
- surgical expertise: Our surgeons are experience in multiple surgical techniques, allowing us to develop a specific treatment plan to best fit your child’s individual needs.
- research and innovation: Our clinicians are involved in research that moves us closer to a better understanding and better treatment of head and face differences.
View our treatment guides:
