July is National Cleft and Craniofacial Awareness and Prevention Month
July is National Cleft and Craniofacial Awareness and Prevention Month. This month focuses on raising awareness about and prevention of a congenital condition known as cleft lip and palate.
Cleft lip and cleft palate are the most common birth defect in the United States – one of every 600 newborns is affected by cleft lip and/or cleft palate.
Cleft lip and palate occur when there is a gap or split in the upper lip, a cleft palate, or both. Some people are born with only one of these conditions, while others experience both. In mild cases, the gap can be closed with surgery after birth; however, more severe cases may require multiple surgeries throughout childhood and adolescence to repair or reconstruct facial features.
What are Craniofacial Anomalies?
Craniofacial anomalies (CFA) are a diverse group of deformities in the growth of the head and facial bones. Anomaly is a medical term meaning "irregularity" or "different from normal." These abnormalities are present at birth (congenital) and there are numerous variations. Some are mild and some are severe and need surgery. Some craniofacial anomalies are associated with anomalies elsewhere in the body, which can be serious.
There are several forms of cleft lip and palate, and each one requires a slightly different treatment. The three types of cleft lip and palate are
- Unilateral incomplete
- Unilateral complete
- Bilateral complete
What Causes Craniofacial Anomalies?
Most medical professionals agree that there is no single factor that causes these types of abnormalities. Instead, there are many factors that may contribute to their development, including the following:
Combination of genes
A child may receive a particular combination of gene(s) from one or both parents. Or, there may be a change in the genes at the time of conception. This results in a craniofacial anomaly.
Environmental
The effect of environmental exposures on the development of craniofacial abnormalities is not fully understood. However, environmental exposures may play a role, especially in combination with genetic abnormalities.
Folic Acid Deficiency
Folic acid is a B vitamin found in orange juice, fortified breakfast cereals, enriched grain products, and green, leafy vegetables. Studies have shown that women who do not take sufficient folic acid during pregnancy or have a diet lacking in folic acid, may have a higher risk of having a baby with certain congenital anomalies. These include cleft lip and cleft palate.
What Are The Most Common Types of Craniofacial Anomalies?
Some of the common types of craniofacial anomalies include the following:
Cleft Lip and/or Cleft Palate
A separation that happens in the lip or the palate (roof of the mouth), or both. Cleft lip and cleft palate are the most common congenital craniofacial anomalies seen at birth.
- Cleft lip - an abnormality in which the lip does not completely form. The degree of the cleft lip can vary greatly, from mild (notching of the lip) to severe (large opening from the lip up through the nose).
- Cleft palate - this happens when the roof of the mouth does not completely close, leaving an opening that can extend into the nasal cavity. The cleft may involve either side of the palate. It can extend from the front of the mouth (hard palate) to the throat (soft palate). The cleft may also include the lip.
Craniosynostosis
A condition in which the sutures (soft spots) in the skull of an infant close too early. This causes problems with normal brain and skull growth. Premature closure of the sutures may also cause the pressure inside of the head to increase and the skull or facial bones to change from a normal, symmetrical appearance.
Hemifacial microsomia
A condition in which the tissues on one side of the face are underdeveloped. This mostly affects the ear (aural), mouth (oral), and jaw (mandibular) areas. Sometimes, both sides of the face can be affected and may involve the skull and the face. Hemifacial microsomia is also known as Goldenhar syndrome, brachial arch syndrome, facio-auriculo-vertebral syndrome, oculo-auriculo-vertebral spectrum, or lateral facial dysplasia.
Vascular malformation
A birthmark or growth, present at birth, that is composed of blood vessels. It can cause functional or aesthetic problems. Vascular malformations may involve multiple body systems. There are several different types of malformations and they are named according to which type of blood vessel is mostly affected. Vascular malformations are also known as lymphangiomas, arteriovenous malformations, and vascular gigantism.
Hemangioma
A hemangiomas is an abnormally growing blood vessel in the skin that may be present at birth (faint red mark) or appear in the first months after birth. A hemangioma is also known as a port wine stain, strawberry hemangioma, and salmon patch.
Deformational (or positional) plagiocephaly
A misshapen (asymmetrical) shape of the head from repeated pressure to the same area of the head. Plagiocephaly literally means "oblique head" (from the Greek "plagio" for oblique and "cephale" for head).
How are Cleft Lip and Palate Treated?
Cleft lip and palate can cause problems with speech, eating, hearing, and social development. Most of the time, cleft lip and palate can be easily treated with corrective surgery, allowing children born with the condition to live normal lives. However, in some cases – particularly in developing countries where access to medical care is not as widely available – children do not receive treatment. This can result in further problems as the child grows.
Raising Awareness
This month, you can help raise awareness about cleft lip and palate so that all children with the condition can receive the care and treatment they need. There are a few ways you can help:
- Post about National Cleft and Craniofacial Awareness and Prevention Month on social media.
- Host a virtual or in-person fundraiser.
- Educate your family and friends about cleft lip and palate.
This month is a great opportunity to learn more about a very treatable condition that affects many children worldwide and find ways of making treatment more available to those who need it.
Sources:
https://www.chnola.org/blog/2020/july/july-is-national-cleft-and-craniofacial-awarenes/