A child with Moebius syndrome. (Photo courtesy of Raphael GAYARD via Getty Images)
Disease name: Moebius syndrome
Affected populations: The exact prevalence of Moebius syndrome remains unknown. A 2021 study in Italy found that the condition occurs in 0.3 out of 100,000 newborns in the country, while a 1996 study in the Netherlands estimated that it affects about 2.1 out of 100,000 newborns. Other studies suggest that globally, between 1 in 500,000 and 1 in 50,000 babies are born with the syndrome.
These figures may vary because the diagnostic criteria for Moebius syndrome have changed over time. Also, because the condition is so rare, countries do not create national registries to monitor its prevalence, and many doctors are often unaware of the condition, making it difficult to diagnose, the authors of the Italian study noted. The syndrome is thought to affect people of all races and ethnicities, and occurs equally in men and women.
You may like
Sourse: www.livescience.com
