Overview
Flat face-microstomia-ear anomaly syndrome is an extremely rare genetic condition that affects the development of the face and other parts of the body. The name describes its main features: a flat or underdeveloped midface, microstomia (an unusually small mouth), and abnormalities of the ears. This syndrome falls under the broader category of craniofacial malformation syndromes. People born with this condition typically have a noticeably flat facial profile, a very small mouth opening that can make feeding difficult (especially in infancy), and ears that may be unusually shaped, low-set, or have structural differences. Additional features may include eye abnormalities, short stature, and sometimes developmental delays, though the full range of symptoms can vary from person to person. Because this syndrome is so rare, there is no specific cure or targeted treatment. Management focuses on addressing individual symptoms. This may include surgical procedures to improve mouth opening or correct ear abnormalities, speech therapy, feeding support in infancy, and regular monitoring of growth and development. A team of specialists typically works together to provide the best care for affected individuals.
Also known as:
Key symptoms:
Flat or underdeveloped midfaceVery small mouth openingAbnormally shaped earsLow-set earsFeeding difficulties in infancyShort statureEye abnormalitiesHearing problemsSpeech difficultiesPossible developmental delaysFlat nasal bridgeDifficulty opening the mouth wide
Clinical phenotype terms (32)— hover any for plain English
Neonatal
Begins at or shortly after birth (first 4 weeks)
Treatments
No FDA-approved treatments are currently listed for Flat face-microstomia-ear anomaly syndrome.
View clinical trials →Clinical Trials
View all trials with filters →No actively recruiting trials found for Flat face-microstomia-ear anomaly syndrome at this time.
New trials open frequently. Follow this disease to get notified.
Specialists
View all specialists →No specialists are currently listed for Flat face-microstomia-ear anomaly syndrome.
Treatment Centers
8 centersBaylor College of Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🏥 NORDStanford Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Stanford Medicine
📍 Stanford, CA
🔬 UDNNIH Clinical Center Undiagnosed Diseases Program ↗
National Institutes of Health
📍 Bethesda, MD
🔬 UDNUCLA UDN Clinical Site ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
🔬 UDNBaylor College of Medicine UDN Clinical Site ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🔬 UDNHarvard/MGH UDN Clinical Site ↗
Massachusetts General Hospital
📍 Boston, MA
🏥 NORDMayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine ↗
Mayo Clinic
📍 Rochester, MN
👤 Mayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine
🏥 NORDUCLA Rare Disease Day Program ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
Travel Grants
No travel grants are currently matched to Flat face-microstomia-ear anomaly syndrome.
Community
No community posts yet. Be the first to share your experience with Flat face-microstomia-ear anomaly syndrome.
Start the conversation →Latest news about Flat face-microstomia-ear anomaly syndrome
No recent news articles for Flat face-microstomia-ear anomaly syndrome.
Follow this condition to be notified when news becomes available.
Caregiver Resources
NORD Caregiver Resources
Support, advocacy, and financial assistance for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Mental Health Support
Rare disease caregiving can be isolating. Connect with counseling and peer support.
Family & Caregiver Grants
Financial assistance programs specifically for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Social Security Disability
Learn how rare disease patients may qualify for SSDI/SSI benefits.
Questions for your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment
- Q1.What is the full extent of my child's facial and ear abnormalities?,Will my child need surgery, and if so, when is the best time?,Should we have hearing tested, and how often?,What feeding strategies can help my baby get enough nutrition?,Is genetic testing recommended for our family, and could this happen again in future pregnancies?,What therapies (speech, occupational, developmental) should we start early?,Are there other specialists we should see that we haven't been referred to yet?
Common questions about Flat face-microstomia-ear anomaly syndrome
What is Flat face-microstomia-ear anomaly syndrome?
Flat face-microstomia-ear anomaly syndrome is an extremely rare genetic condition that affects the development of the face and other parts of the body. The name describes its main features: a flat or underdeveloped midface, microstomia (an unusually small mouth), and abnormalities of the ears. This syndrome falls under the broader category of craniofacial malformation syndromes. People born with this condition typically have a noticeably flat facial profile, a very small mouth opening that can make feeding difficult (especially in infancy), and ears that may be unusually shaped, low-set, or h
At what age does Flat face-microstomia-ear anomaly syndrome typically begin?
Typical onset of Flat face-microstomia-ear anomaly syndrome is neonatal. Age of onset can vary across affected individuals.