Joubert syndrome is a rare autosomal recessive disorder. It is characterized by congenital ataxia, hypotonia, developmental delay and at least one of the following features: neonatal respiratory disturbances and abnormal eye movements; including nystagmus and oculomotor apraxia. Molar tooth appearance is an essential finding for the diagnosis of Joubert syndrome. We report a five-days-old newborn with mild hypotonia, abnormal pattern of respiration, abnormal eye movements and molar tooth sign on brain CT scan. Joubert syndrome is an uncommon inherited condition and delayed diagnosis is usually related to its variable, non-specific presentation. Awareness of the characteristic clinical and radiological findings in Joubert syndrome will help in early diagnosis, appropriate counseling and proper rehabilitation.

Joubert syndrome (JS) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder with key finding of cerebellar vermis hypoplasia with a complex brainstem malformation that comprises the molar tooth sign on axial magnetic resonance images. This syndrome is difficult to diagnose clinically because of its variable phenotype. The exact diagnosis is often not made for several years after birth. This report shows that with the availability of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), especially in developing countries like India, it is quite feasible to make an early diagnosis which may positively affect the subsequent management and outcome. We present a case of JS in a 7-month-old girl who presented to the pediatric outpatient clinic with developmental delay and abnormal eye movements. MRI showed molar tooth configuration of superior cerebellar peduncles, the fourth ventricle shaped like a bat wing and hypoplasia of the vermis which resulted in median approach of the two cerebellar hemispheres.