Ptosis in childhood: A clinical sign of several disorders: Case series reports and literature review

Medicine (Baltimore). 2018 Sep;97(36):e12124. doi: 10.1097/MD.0000000000012124.

Abstract

Blepharoptosis (ptosis) is a common but often overlooked sign that may serve as a sign/manifestation of other conditions, ranging from a mild and purely cosmetic presentation to a severe and occasionally progressive disorder. Ptosis may show an acute onset or may manifest as a chronic disorder. Its presentation may vary: unilateral versus bilateral, progressive versus non-progressive, isolated versus complex which occurs in association with other symptoms, and congenital versus acquired (often concomitant with neuromuscular disorders).Congenital ptosis includes the isolated type-the congenital cranial dysinnervation disorders, which are further, distinguished into different subtypes such as Horner syndrome (HS), and ptosis as a sign/manifestation of various congenital malformation syndromes.In this article, we review the primary causes of ptosis occurring in childhood, and its various clinical presentations, including a short report on selected cases observed in our institution: a classical isolated familial ptosis comprising 14 members over 5 generations, 3 sibling with isolated congenital ptosis who in addition suffered by episodes of febrile seizures, a patient with Duane retraction syndrome who presented congenital skin and hair anomalies, and a girl with HS who showed a history of congenital imperforate hymen. A flowchart outlining the congenital and acquired type of ptosis and the clinical approach to the management and treatment of children with this anomaly is reported.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Blepharoptosis / diagnosis*
  • Blepharoptosis / etiology*
  • Blepharoptosis / therapy
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male