Guide To Effective Stickler Syndrome Treatment

Stickler syndrome is the name for a group of genetic conditions that cause joint problems, eye abnormalities, hearing loss, and a distinctive facial appearance. The symptoms vary widely among affected patients. In individuals with Stickler syndrome, the facial appearance tends to be somewhat flattened because the bones in the middle of the face are underdeveloped.

Patients may have difficulty with breathing and feeding due to the placement of their tongue, a smaller-than-average lower jaw, and a cleft palate. Many individuals have serious nearsightedness. Patients also have varying degrees of hearing loss, which can sometimes be progressive. There are a number of ways to treat the symptoms of Stickler syndrome.

Wearing Hearing Aids

Stickler syndrome is caused by mutations to a few different collagen genes. These cause the body not to produce collagen and collagen-related structures properly. Not every patient with Stickler syndrome experiences hearing loss or hearing impairment, though one study found about sixty-three percent of patients reported hearing loss. The majority of patients with hearing loss were young or also had a cleft palate.

Wearing hearing aids may help with hearing loss. There is a wide range of hearing aid options available. Every hearing aid is powered with a battery, and the majority of the ones on the market are digital. The hearing aid uses small microphones to collect environmental sounds, which are then converted into code. The machine adjusts the sound based on the patient's needs and the current environment, then turns the sound back into sound waves.

Tracheostomy

A tracheostomy is a surgical procedure that creates an opening into the trachea through the neck. In most cases, a tube is inserted to create an airway and remove lung secretions. The procedure happens under general anesthesia except in situations where there are emergency circumstances. Infants with Stickler syndrome may need this procedure done when they have the Robin sequence, which involves a number of abnormalities like a small lower jaw, a tongue placed too far back, and airway blockage.

The majority of patients with this sequence also have a cleft palate. This surgery is necessary when an infant's airways become blocked because of the arrangement of their facial features. The tongue can drop toward the back of the throat, leading to constriction of the airway.