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What are CRANIOFACIAL CLEFTS?

Craniofacial clefts, other than typical cleft lips, are very rare, severe deformities of the face and head that affect both bones and soft tissues.

Symptoms SYMPTOMS

Children with rare craniofacial clefts may have:

  • Facial asymmetry (sides of the face don't mirror each other)
  • Differences in the base of the skull
  • Cleft lip and cleft palate
  • Hypoplastic maxilla (unusually small upper jaw)
  • Cleft nose or distortion of the nasal skeleton
  • Bifid nose
  • Orbital hypertelorism (eyes unusually far apart)
  • Orbital dystopia (eyes sockets that are uneven)
  • Small or underdeveloped eyes
  • Clefting into the orbital floor (base of the eye socket and lower eyelid)
  • Abnormalities of the eyelids and eyebrows

Treatment TREATMENT & MANAGEMENT

The surgical treatment of these rare craniofacial clefts varies tremendously from patient to patient. It depends on the severity of the condition and long-term needs of the child. Most often, a staged approach with multiple surgeries is planned. Therefore, consultation with an experienced craniofacial team is extremely important in achieving the best outcomes for your child.