For 11-year-old Christine Honeycutt, the mirror presented an unwanted reflection.
Afflicted with Parry-Romberg syndrome, one half of Honeycutt's face seemed to age faster than the other, leaving a whole that was visibly out of sync with itself. Her story, reported by CNN, has drawn attention to the facial disorder that affects a small number of children each year.
Using information provided by the National Institutes of Health, Surge Desk has a handy primer on Parry-Romberg syndrome:
1. What is Parry-Romberg syndrome?
"Slow progressive deterioration of the skin and soft tissues of the face" typify Parry-Romberg syndrome. This accelerated aging and decay can lead to an asymmetrical-looking face, often giving the eye and tissue on the left side a sunken or deflated appearance.
2. What causes it?
The disorder afflicts roughly one in a million children. So far, the cause remains unknown, according to the National Organization for Rare Disorders.
3. When does it start in a child's life?
According to the NIH, children can begin showing signs of Parry-Romberg syndrome between the ages of 5 and 15.
4. How does one treat it?
As with Christine Honeycutt, some children opt for reconstructive surgery to replace the damaged tissue using muscle and bone grafts.
5. What's the outlook for a cure?
As yet, there is no cure for Parry-Romberg syndrome, CNN reported, nor are there any treatments for the disorder outside of reconstructive surgery.
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