ASYMMETRIC CRYING FACIES - AN INDEX OF OTHER MALFORMATIONS

Congenital hypoplasia or absence of the depressor anguli oris muscle i s a minor congenital anomaly causing asymmetrical crying facies (ACF). The interesting aspect of this abnormality lies in the frequently ass ociated abnormalities. Cardiac, urogenital,; musculoskeletal, respirat ory and cervicofacial defects have been described in cases with ACF. T herefore it is suggested that ACF can be used as an index of other con genital malformations. We report three cases with ACF who had varied c ongenital anormalies.