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Complications
By Mayo Clinic staffSome of the more severe complications of Stickler syndrome may develop in your child's eyes:
- Glaucoma. Glaucoma refers to an eye disorder characterized by pressure building within your eyeball. Increased pressure pinches the nerve that relays the signal for sight from the retina to your brain (optic nerve). Untreated glaucoma will eventually cause blindness.
- Retinal detachment. This is a serious eye complication resulting from Stickler syndrome. Retinal detachment occurs when the thin layer of tissue at the back of your eye (retina) pulls away from its nourishing collection of blood vessels, called the choroid. If left untreated, blindness will result.
Other potential complications include:
- Deafness. The hearing loss associated with Stickler syndrome may become more severe over time and can eventually result in deafness.
- Osteoarthritis. Swollen and painful joints may indicate that your child has premature onset of osteoarthritis, a condition in which the cartilage in the joints deteriorates. In severe cases, hip or knee joint replacement surgery may be necessary to replace your child's damaged joints.
- Ear infections. Children with facial structure abnormalities are more likely to develop ear infections than are children with normal facial features.
- Difficulty breathing or feeding. Children born with facial abnormalities that include an opening in the roof of the mouth (cleft palate), a large tongue and a small lower jaw (Robin's syndrome), may experience difficulty feeding or breathing.
References
- Stickler syndrome. Genetics Home Reference. http://www.ghr.nlm.nih.gov/condition=sticklersyndrome. Accessed Sept. 4, 2008.
- Stickler GB [expert opinion]. Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. March 28, 2008.
- About Stickler syndrome. Stickler Syndrome Support Group. www.stickler.org.uk/info.htm. Accessed Sept. 4, 2008.
- Francomano C, et al. Stickler syndrome. In: Cassidy SB, et al. Management of Genetic Syndromes. 2nd ed. Hoboken, N.J.: Wiley-Liss; 2005;539-546.
