SUMMARY
Pierre Robin sequence is described as a triad of micro- and/or retrognathia, glossoptosis, and upper airway obstruction, in 90% the triad is associated with cleft palate. In children with the Pierre Robin sequence, the main functional problems are upper respiratory obstruction and feeding problems, which can be manifested by a variety of respiratory problems, and poor weight gain. Most patients need conservative treatment, rarely surgical treatment; only the most severe cases will need a tracheotomy. In Slovenia, at the Clinical Department of Neonatology, Division of Paediatrics – University Children’s Hospital we introduced a new method for the treatment of newborns with the Pierre Robin sequence, treatment with the nasopharyngeal tube. The nasopharyngeal tube overcomes the obstruction of the upper respiratory tract at the level of the root of the tongue and can be placed for a longer period of time, even in the home environment; we can alternately replace the tube from one to another nostril. The treatment of children with the Pierre Robin sequence is multidisciplinary and involves a neonatologist, otorhinolaryngologist, maxillofacial surgeon and a pulmonologist, while a gastroenterologist, clinical dietitian, and geneticist are included if needed. The article presents the clinical picture and the management of children with Pierre Robin sequence, and the clinical pathway for the evaluation and treatment of the neonate with Pierre Robin sequence, which was introduced at the Department of Neonatology, Division of Paediatrics – University Children’s Hospital, University Medical Centre Ljubljana.