Apert Syndrome

Apert Syndrome is a genetic disorder that affects approximately 1 in 200,000 live births. The distinct characteristics of this disorder can be seen in the skill, midface, hands and feet.

Skull bones are prematurely fused together and the skill cannot properly grow, causing a misshapen head and face. The brain cannot properly grow and there will be an increased amount of pressure in the brain during growth. It is also common for the fingers and toes to be fused together.

Most people that suffer from this disorder have hearing loss, a sunken appearance with bulging eyes, a beaked nose and crowded teeth. Because the eye sockets are usually shallow, it is likely for a child to experience vision problems.

There can also be a varying degree of mental retardation from mild to moderate.

A prenatal ultrasound can diagnose Apert syndrome when craniosynostosis is detected and "mitten hands" are found on the fetus due to fused fingers