Craniofacial anomalies

What causes craniofacial anomalies?

Most medical professionals agree that there is no single cause of these types of abnormalities.

Instead, there are many factors that may contribute to their development, including the following:

• Combination of genes - Your child may have received a particular combination of gene(s) from one or both parents, or there may have been a change in the genes at the time of conception, which results in a craniofacial anomaly.
• Environmental - As of now, we don’t have any date that shows a direct correlation between any specific drug or chemical exposure and a craniofacial anomaly. However, any prenatal exposure should be evaluated.
• 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, including cleft lip and/or cleft palate.

What kinds of symptoms might my child have?

Symptoms vary by condition. Your child’s doctor can help you understand your child’s symptoms.

How are craniofacial anomalies diagnosed?

Cranial asymmetry can be diagnosed at several different times. It can sometimes be detected through prenatal ultrasound, may be present at birth or may develop during the first few months of life.

When should we talk to a specialist?

If your child’s deformity worsens or fails to improve after a trial of mechanical adjustments, then you should consider contacting a pediatric neurosurgeon, a general neurosurgeon with expertise in pediatrics, or a craniofacial surgeon or craniofacial anomalies team.