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Objective This study aimed to explore the efficiency of ultrasound (US) in prenatal diagnosis and prognosis of Pierre Robin sequence (PRS) of 18 cases.

Study Design A total of 79,305 women admitted for prenatal US examinations were recruited from January 2017 to December 2020. Eighteen cases of PRS fetuses were selected form the cohort and 40 cases of isolated micrognathia were recruited randomly as control group. All the clinical and imaging results were retrospectively reviewed. General condition, US measurements, and prognosis of fetuses were compared between groups.

Results Cleft palate, glossoptosis, and micrognathia were found in all 18 fetuses with PRS by prenatal US. Compared with the isolated micrognathia group, there were no significant differences in the PRS group in examination of maternal age, gestational weeks at assessment, and gender of fetuses, but significant lower measures in inferior facial angle, jaw index, and frontal nasal–mental angle (each p < 0.05). Twelve fetuses were defined to have other associated malformations. Ear malformations were the most common associated malformations with a prevalence of 44.4% (8/18). All of the18 cases were confirmed with PRS after delivery or autopsy. Two delivered infants were found bucking easily, one baby was spitting up frequently but growth showed normal.

Conclusion Prenatal detection of PRS with US examination is highly efficient. Even with the triad of malformations, isolated PRS had good outcomes following initial stabilization and management in the neonatal period. Prenatal detection of Pierre Robin syndrome with targeted US examination is efficient in discerning characteristics of this rare syndrome. Even with the triad of malformations, isolated PRS had good outcomes following initial stabilization and management in the neonatal period.

Key Points

Prenatal diagnosis of fetal PRS is of great clinical importance.

Micrognathia has been identified as the primary feature of PRS.

Posterior displacement of the tongue may cause acute neonatal respiratory distress.

Even with triad malformation, isolated PRS seemed to have good outcomes.

Keywords Pierre Robin sequence - fetal - ultrasound - micrognathia - glossoptosis Ethical Approval

For the studies using all the clinical data were approved by Medical Ethics Committee of Chongqing Health Center for Women and Children (registration number: (2021)-042). All patients involved were approved and signed a written agreement. All patients related in this article were written informed consent to publish their case (including publication of images).

Authors' Contributions

C.Z.: conception and design of the article, data acquisition and analysis, and drafting the article; Z.X. conception and design of the article, revise manuscript; H.D.: conception and design of the article and data acquisition; T.C.: data acquisition; X.Z.: data acquisition; S.R.: conception and design of the article, revising the article, and final approval of the version to be published.

Publication History

Received: 13 October 2022

Accepted: 13 March 2023

Article published online:
17 April 2023

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