Increase Craniofacial Awareness

We want to raise craniofacial awareness by providing visitors with information about the causes of abnormality and its most common forms. Knowledge is power and it’s what will cause less fear and educate people on what steps to take to improve their child’s condition and alter the course of their life.

What are craniofacial abnormalities?

These are a diverse group of abnormalities in the growth of the facial and head bones. These are present at birth and vary in severity; some are mild in nature while other forms are severe and need surgery and treatment. Knowing the basics about these conditions raises craniofacial deformity awareness.

What causes deformities?

Various factors may cause a craniofacial abnormality, with some of the most common ones being:

• Genes – Children get a combination of genes from their parents and genetic incompatibilities and mix-ups may cause the formation of a craniofacial deformity.
• Environment – Combined with genetics, environmental factors may trigger a cleft lip and palate, and other abnormalities. A mother’s intake of certain drugs, cigarette use while pregnant, as well as certain types of medication for seizures and vitamin A derivatives may increase likelihood.
• Folic Acid Deficiency – Pregnant women who lack folic acid in their diet may have a higher risk of having a child with congenital abnormalities such as cleft lip and palate. Folic acid is a B vitamin found in green, leafy vegetables, fortified breakfast cereals, orange juice and enriched grain products.
  Our drive to increase craniofacial awareness will help pregnant women follow a diet that has sufficient folic acid to prevent congenital abnormalities upon childbirth.

What are the common types of craniofacial abnormalities?

• Cleft Lip and/or Palate – A separation in the palate or lip or both characterize this abnormality. A cleft lip does not allow full development and formation, which may create a large opening from the lip to the nose. A cleft palate prevents the roof of the mouth from completely closing, which leaves an opening that may reach into the nasal cavity. Cleft lip and/or palate is the most common type of craniofacial anomaly.
• Craniosyntosis – This is a deformity in which the soft spots in the skull of a baby close too soon, resulting in problems with normal skull and brain development. Premature closing of the sutures may cause an increase in the pressure inside the head, deforming the facial bones.
• Hemangioma – This has an abnormally growing blood vessel in the skin that looks like a faint red mark, which is present at birth.

These are some of the most common forms of deformities that people need to know about. Through our pediatric craniofacial awareness campaign, people will know more about these conditions, the causes, and how to get proper treatment or surgery.