Dear Grace, the following from a google search (I managed to lose the URL,
sorry but there will be many others).
best, Joy
www.homeopathicmateriamedica.com
Pfeiffer's Syndrome refers to a genetic abnormality which gives rise to a
range of cranial mal-development expressed as a fore-shortening of the
mid-face. Related malformations include receded cheekbones along with
protuberant eyes due to malformation of the ocular orbit region. The
Pfeiffer's Syndrome child also exhibits wide set and generally crossed eyes,
along with under-development of eye muscles responsible for eye movement.
Extending outward into the limbs the Pfeiffer's Syndrome child will exhibit
broad thumbs and over-sized big toes. This cranial fore-shortening also
results in mal-formation of the ear which I turn can lead to chronic ear
infection and hearing disability. Typically, a Pfeiffer's Syndrome child
will express a cleft palate as well as hearing problems associated with the
recurring ear infections. In a very proximate manner of description,
Pfeiffer's Syndrome produces manifestations very similar to Crouzon's
Syndrome.
If a Pfeiffer's Syndrome child is not treated surgically at an early stage
in life, then she runs some risk of mental retardation due to constraints
placed on brain growth during the formative years. This cranial
fore-shortening associated with Pfeiffer's Syndrome produces a high arched
palate which, in turn, creates chronic nasal and airway obstruction. The
chronic nasal and airway obstruction is further amplified by the development
of a smaller than average nose, along with jaw line deformity. Additionally,
a Pfeiffer's Syndrome child may also be born with a cleft palate condition.
With such pronounced deformities inter-playing simultaneously, the
Pfeiffer's Syndrome child experiences developmental challenges in speech,
eating, and hearing and vision. These challenges increase logarithmically as
the child grows since the Pfeiffer's Syndrome results in both delayed and
altered growth patterns across the cranial-facial area. If Pfeiffer's
Syndrome is left untreated the developmental challenges in brain formation,
speech, eating, and hearing and vision will extend to problems of breathing
due to increasing impact from jaw deformity and dental malocclusion.
From a purely genetic perspective inheritance rates may run as high as 50%
in the off spring of adults bearing these marker gene sequences. In the
remaining 50% population pool researchers speculate that spontaneous
mutation may develop as a response to bio-chemical abnormalities during the
fetal development stage or perhaps to gene expressions not yet clear to
scientists.
on 2/4/04 9:40 AM,
gracehealth4all@aol.com at
gracehealth4all@aol.com wrote:
Hello everyone.
I have been part of this group for a few months, with a gap to travel
abroad.
Can anyone help with this one please. Do you know anything about Pfiffer's
syndrome?
The medical dictionary is brief. I have a young person coming to see me next
saturday (7th).
Any insights would be appreciated.
Best wishes,
Grace
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]