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Palpebral slant - eye
Mongolian slant
The palpebral slant is the direction of the slant of a line that goes from the outer corner of the eye to the inner corner.
Considerations
The palpebral are the upper and lower eyelids, which make up the shape of the eye. A line drawn from the inner corner to the outer corner determines the slant of the eye, or palpebral slant. Slanting and a fold of skin ( epicanthal fold ) are normal in people of Asian descent.
Epicanthal fold
An epicanthal fold is skin of the upper eyelid that covers the inner corner of the eye. The fold runs from nose to the inner side of the eyebrow....
Abnormal slanting of the eye may occur with some genetic disorders and syndromes. The most common of these is Down syndrome. People with Down syndrome often also have an epicanthal fold in the inner corner of the eye.
Causes
Palpebral slant may not be part of any other defect. However, in some cases, it may be due to:
- Down syndrome
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Fetal alcohol syndrome
Fetal alcohol syndrome
Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) is growth, mental, and physical problems that may occur in a baby when a mother drinks alcohol during pregnancy....
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When to Contact a Medical Professional
Contact your health care provider if:
- Your infant has abnormal features of the face
- You are worried about your infant's ability to move their eyes
- You notice any abnormal color, swelling, or discharge from your infant's eyes
What to Expect at Your Office Visit
Your provider will perform a physical exam and ask questions about your child's medical history and symptoms.
An infant with an abnormal palpebral slant will usually have other symptoms of another health condition. That condition will be diagnosed based on a family history, medical history, and a physical exam.
Tests to confirm a disorder may include:
- Chromosome studies
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Enzyme
assays
Enzyme
Enzymes are complex proteins that cause a specific chemical change in all parts of the body. For example, they can help break down the foods we eat ...
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X-rays
X-rays
X-rays are a type of electromagnetic radiation, just like visible light. An x-ray machine sends individual x-ray particles through the body. The im...
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References
Dollfus H, Verloes A. Developmental anomalies of the lids. In: Hoyt CS, Taylor D, eds. Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus . 4th ed. Elsevier Saunders; 2013:chap 18.
Haldeman-Englert CR, Saitta SC, Zackai EH. Specific chromosome disorders in newborns. In: Gleason CA, Devaskar SU, eds. Avery's Diseases of the Newborn . 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2012:chap 20.
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Palpebral slant - illustration
The direction of the slant of a line drawn from the outer corner of the eye to the inner corner is known as the palpebral slant. The most commonly recognized syndrome associated with an abnormal palpebral slant is Down's syndrome.
Palpebral slant
illustration
Review Date: 4/21/2015
Reviewed By: Neil K. Kaneshiro, MD, MHA, Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Isla Ogilvie, PhD, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
