Definition of Pierre Robin syndrome:

Pierre Robin syndrome is a condition present at birth in which an infant has a very small lower jaw, a tongue that tends to fall back and downward, and a soft cleft palate.

The syndrome is also called Pierre Robin complex or sequence.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

The specific causes of Pierre Robin syndrome are unknown. It may be part of many genetic syndromes. The lower jaw develops slowly over the first few months of life before birth, but speeds up during the first year after birth. The falling back of the tongue may cause choking episodes and feeding and breathing difficulties, especially when the child sleeps.