Fast and early mandibular osteogenetic distraction in a 24-day-old female newborn with Larsen syndrome.

BACKGROUND

Larsen syndrome (LS) is a rare bone dysplasia characterized by multiple dislocations affecting large and small joints, progressive scoliosis, accessory and early ossifying carpal/tarsal bones, and characteristic craniofacial features.

CASE PRESENTATION: A newborn with a clinical diagnosis of LS is presented. Shortly after birth, she had respiratory distress due to retrognathia. Such a life-threatening complication was resolved by mandibular distraction osteogenesis at 24 days of age.

CONCLUSION

Fast and early mandibular osteogenetic distraction could represent an optimal tool to avoid tracheostomy and to improve oral feeding in patients with rare conditions, such as LS.