Geneticist or Genetic Counselor Refers to the craniofacial team member who evaluates your family’s medical/family history, examines your child to assist the team with accurate diagnosis, and counsels your family regarding risk of craniofacial problems in your family’s future children.
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The craniofacial treatment team. Many people may be involved in the management of craniofacial issues for your child. This is because the skills of many different areas are needed to help with the problems that can happen. The following are some of the members of the craniofacial team: Plastic/craniofacial surgeon.
Craniofacial disorder is a broad term that describes malformations of the face and skull that may result from birth defect, disease or trauma. In the U.S., approximately 600,000 individuals have been diagnosed with a craniofacial condition, and Children’s National Hospital treats hundreds of patients with these disorders each year.
Symptoms of craniofacial anomalies may include the inability to chew properly, impaired breathing (which may lead to sleep dysfunction), speech impediments and psychosocial challenges resulting from facial imbalance. Orthodontic treatment is part of coordinated approach to care. Read more +.
Teach your child and family about your child’s condition and treatment. One of our craniofacial social workers will meet with your family to talk about your wishes, concerns, questions and needs. Their main role is to be your advocate. Many other members of the craniofacial team may play a part in your child’s care.
Craniofacial disorder is a broad term that describes malformations of the face and skull that may result from birth defect, disease or trauma. In the U.S., approximately 600,000 individuals have been diagnosed with a craniofacial condition, and Children’s National Hospital treats hundreds ...
The Cleft and Craniofacial Program at Children’s National brings together experts from 10 pediatric disciplines to provide complete care for children with craniofacial disorders. Our multidisciplinary pediatric team helps more than 400 children every year.
Craniofacial disorder is a broad term that describes malformations of the face and skull that may result from birth defect, disease or trauma. In the U.S., approximately 600,000 individuals have been diagnosed with a craniofacial condition , and Children’s National Hospital treats hundreds of patients with these disorders each year.
What is cleft palate in children?#N#Cleft palate is a birth abnormality that affects about one in every 2,000 newborns and is more common in boys. A lesser-discussed but similar condition, cleft lip, affects about one in every 1,000 births. The palate is the inner, underside of the mouth. When the palate is cleft, it is because the roof of the mouth didn't close together properly during gestation. A newborn may have a large gap in the palate, which may affect the ability to nurse and eventually eat and talk. Most babies with a cleft palate or lip are otherwise healthy. They may experience some problems until the cleft is repaired, like feeding difficulties and ear infections.
A newborn may have a large gap in the palate, which may affect the ability to nurse and eventually eat and talk. Most babies with a cleft palate or lip are otherwise healthy. They may experience some problems until the cleft is repaired, like feeding difficulties and ear infections.
In positional plagiocephaly, the child's head often looks like a rectangle when viewed from above. Repeated pressure to the same area of a newborn's very pliable skull can cause the head to be deformed, sometimes with distinct differences between the right and left side of the face.
Natural sutures are joints between skull bones that hold the skull together, but that also grow as the skull grows. In children with normal development, the sutures eventually fuse together. Craniosynostosis occurs when the sutures fuse too soon before growth is complete.
Correction of a craniofacial anomaly is a complex task that must be scheduled around your child’s age and growth pattern. Some treatments can be done at infancy, while other treatments must wait until your child’s bones have stopped growing.
Treacher Collins syndrome (a genetic condition that affects the development of the bones and tissues of the face) Crouzon syndrome (a genetic condition that results in an underdeveloped lower jaw) Apert syndrome (a genetic condition that results in an underdeveloped lower jaw) Other craniofacial conditions that affect growth and development ...
Problems with the upper or lower jaw can be congenital (present at birth) or acquired as a result of disease or injury. Symptoms of craniofacial anomalies may include the inability to chew properly, impaired breathing (which may lead to sleep dysfunction), speech impediments and psychosocial challenges resulting from facial imbalance.
Symptoms of craniofacial anomalies may include the inability to chew properly, impaired breathing (which may lead to sleep dysfunction), speech impediments and psychosocial challenges resulting from facial imbalance. Orthodontic treatment is part of coordinated approach to care. Read more +.
Your orthodontist is an important part of your child’s care team in treatment of a craniofacial condition, and will provide treatment, which can include: Initial evaluation . This first orthodontic evaluation may be scheduled even before your child has any teeth, in order to assess facial and jaw growth.
As teeth begin to erupt, the orthodontist will make plans for your child’s short- and long-term dental needs, including jaw and teeth alignment. Braces. For children with craniofacial conditions, the orthodontist will provide braces and retainers to align teeth and aid in correct jaw development. Surgical orthodontics.
Hemifacial microsomia (uneven facial development) Treacher Collins syndrome (a genetic condition that affects the development of the bones and tissues of the face) Crouzon syndrome (a genetic condition that results in an underdeveloped lower jaw) Apert syndrome (a genetic condition that results in an underdeveloped lower jaw)
Our craniofacial surgeons do many surgeries for less common conditions, including: Conditions that affect multiple parts of the head, face and neck, like encephalocele , frontonasal dysplasia and facial clefting. Head or face trauma, like broken bones from an accident or damage from a severe infection. Conditions that require urgent surgery in ...
Craniofacial surgery treats conditions that affect the bones and soft tissues of the head and face. This small area of your child’s body is very complex. It affects how your child sees, hears, breathes, chews, swallows, interacts with other people — and even how their brain grows. For best possible results, children with craniofacial conditions ...
Using a distractor device after surgery helps a child’s body grow new bone. This lets us make bigger corrections in bone position than surgery alone. Children with limited facial movement because of a problem with the facial nerve may need facial reanimation. We offer a range of procedures.
Plan the exact steps in complex surgeries and guide the surgeon during your child’s surgery. Build a physical model of your child’s skull using a 3-D printer. Measure your child’s results after surgery. This helps us improve techniques and invent new ones.
Based on your child’s needs, your craniofacial surgeon may work with other experts to plan and perform your child’s surgery. They may include: A neurosurgeon, who treats brain and skull conditions.
They may include: A neurosurgeon, who treats brain and skull conditions. An oral and maxillofacial surgeon, who treats the jaw, teeth and lower face. A surgical craniofacial orthodontist, who prepares your child for surgery that involves the gum line, jaws and teeth.
A neurosurgeon, who treats brain and skull conditions. An oral and maxillofacial surgeon, who treats the jaw, teeth and lower face. A surgical craniofacial orthodontist, who prepares your child for surgery that involves the gum line, jaws and teeth.
Children may be born with craniofacial birth defects, or they may develop a condition through injury or disease. At the Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Center for Cleft and Craniofacial Disorders, we evaluate and treat craniofacial conditions—which can range from mild to severe—in children from birth to age 21.
Craniofacial disorders are deformities or abnormalities that affect a child’s head and facial bones. Children may be born with craniofacial birth defects, or they may develop a condition through injury or disease. At the Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Center for Cleft and Craniofacial Disorders, we evaluate and treat craniofacial conditions—which ...
Led by Joseph K. Williams, MD, FACS, FAAP, Chief of Plastic Surgery and Medical Director of the Center for Cleft and Craniofacial Disorders, our team includes the following pediatric specialists:
Our pediatric orthodontists work closely with other members of the Children’s craniofacial team to treat children with dental-facial problems such as jaw deformities, cleft lip and palate, and midfacial anomalies.
For more information and to schedule an appointment, call 404-785-2072.
Some of the surgeries will be done when your child is very young and some when your child is older and more developed. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 404-785-KIDS (5437). Cleft Lip and Palate Patient Family Handbook ( en Español) Cleft Palate Foundation (CPF) cleftAdvocate.
In the 1920s, Norton Children’s Hospital became the first in the Midwest to develop a “craniofacial anomalies team” to treat children with facial deformities. The team’s expertise and quality care has continued to grow.
Acute and chronic conditions (resulting from a disease, injury or other trauma) as the result of facial fractures
certification in craniofacial surgery, including special experience or training in working. with children, since many syndromes and conditions are present at birth and are best dealt. with during the childhood years. The surgeon works closely together with all the other.
Refers to the craniofacial team member who evaluates your family’s medical/family history, examines your child to assist the team with accurate diagnosis, and counsels your family regarding risk of craniofacial problems in your family’s future children. He or she completes many years of education, specialized course work and field training to learn to analyze inheritance patterns and recurrence risk; they’re also skilled in interviewing, counseling, and providing support to families as they learn about and make decisions regarding their response to the genetic information gathered about your child and family.
Audiologist. A trained, experienced and certified licensed professional who assesses, treats, and rehabilitates hearing and balance disorders. Audiologists may also carry out research on hearing, tinnitus, and balance issues.
A dentist who evaluates the position and alignment of your child’s teeth and coordinates a treatment plan with the surgeon and other specialists. This person holds board certification in Orthodontics, as well as having special training for work with children.
Otolaryngologist. Refers to the team physician who helps evaluate and treat inner ear infections and disorders, structurally and neurologically based hearing loss, voice and swallowing disorders, nose and sinus disorders.
Because cleft lip/palate and related craniofacial conditions typically affect the inner ear and upper throat structures/functions, this specialist must have a great deal of experience in a wide variety of patient cases.
Refers to the specialist who helps your child stay comfortable during any needed surgical procedures, using a carefully balanced combination of medications tailored to your child’s age, weight and metabolism. Pediatric anesthesiologists undergo many years of general and specialized training to allow them to care for children from infancy through the late teen years, with a thorough understanding of the needs of particular age groups. He or she will work closely with you and your child to make the hospital stay as comfortable and smooth as possible, as well as to help minimize your child’s concerns or fears before surgery. Further, he or she monitors, manages and eases your child’s post-op pain.
Pediatric Orthodontists. The pediatric orthodontist is a dentist who is specially trained to straighten and align your child's teeth. Children with craniofacial anomalies usually need to have their teeth straightened as they get older.
The craniofacial nurse practitioners work closely with the pediatricians during the health assessment process and will also help coordinate the care of the child, including doctor visits, surgeries, and rehabilitative services. The nurse practitioner serves as a liaison between the parent and the care team, becoming the child's advocate and ensuring that the child is referred to the appropriate treatment. The nurse practitioner can provide you with information and can answer any questions you may have concerning the care of your child.
The members of the Craniofacial team work together to develop and deliver a coordinated plan of care to meet each child’s individual needs. The multidisciplinary team is comprised of specialists in the following disciplines:
Children with craniofacial anomalies usually need to have their teeth straightened as they get older. The orthodontist works closely with the plastic surgeon regarding the use of a presurgical orthopedic device to bring cleft maxillary segments closer together.
The team’s plastic surgeons are physicians who have extensive experience with children who have craniofacial differences. They have specialized training in correcting cleft lip/palate in addition to more complex craniofacial anomalies. They will perform all the corrective surgeries. The plastic surgeon will examine the child and plan ...
The mission of the Cleft and Craniofacial Team at Children’s Health℠ is to provide comprehensive care for patients with cleft lip and palate and craniofacial anomalies. Team care includes a collaborative evaluation and treatment planning by all of the specialists that will be active in caring for the patient throughout his/her childhood.
The ACPA defines that the purpose of the Cleft and Craniofacial Team “is to ensure that care is provided in a coordinated and consistent manner with the proper sequencing of evaluations and treatments within the framework of the patient’s overall developmental, medical and psychological needs.”.