Riddyk Quiroz was born July 19, 2011, the youngest of 5 children. He was born with a rare genetic disorder known as Pfeiffer Syndrome. Pfeiffer syndrome is a genetic disorder characterized by the premature fusion of certain skull bones (craniosynostosis). This early fusion prevents the skull from growing normally and affects the shape of the head and face. Pfeiffer syndrome also affects bones in the hands and feet. Riddyk was born with a coronal fusion. The coronal suture goes from ear to ear on the top of the head.
Early closure of one side, Riddyk's closure is both sides, unilateral coronal synostosis (plagiocephaly) results in the forehead and orbital rim (eyebrow) having a flattened appearance on that side. This feature is apparent when looking at the child in the mirror. Riddyk will undergo a cranial vault reconstruction July 2012 and have four in his life time.
Many of the characteristic facial features of Pfeiffer syndrome result from premature fusion of the skull bones. Abnormal growth of these bones leads to bulging and wide-set eyes, a high forehead, an underdeveloped upper jaw, and a beaked nose. More than half of all children with Pfeiffer syndrome have hearing loss; dental problems are also common. Riddyk has passed all hearing test but does have to keep tubes in his ears untill the midface surgery. Mid face reconstruction will take place when Riddyk is between the age of four and six. This reconstruction will correct his beaked nose, fix the upper jaw and help with the bulging and wide-set eyes.
In people with Pfeiffer syndrome, the thumbs and great toes are wide and bend away from the other digits. Unusually short fingers and toes (brachydactyly) are also common, and there may be some webbing or fusion between the digits (syndactyly). Riddyk was born with webbed toes on both feet and his left hand, the 3rd & 4th fingers, were webbed as well. He had an extra syndactyly on both pinkie fingers. Riddyk recently went through surgery to release 2 toes on each foot and removal of the extra syndactyly and release of the webbed fingers. He will undergo another surgery around the age 2 to release the other toes.
Pfeiffer Syndrome is very rare and only effects 1 in every 100,000 babies. Since Pfeiffer Syndrome is so rare, the family needs to travel to Dallas, Texas for care.