Craniofacial abnormalities refer to a variety of conditions that affect the skull and face. These conditions can range from being minor, with few symptoms, such as a cleft lip, to more severe conditions, such as craniosynostosis, which causes more complex problems and is caused when the bones in a baby’s skull fuse together too early.
Both are unique health conditions because they not only produce physical symptoms, they also affect the appearance of the sufferer. This can lead to long-term psychological problems that may also require medical intervention.
Cleft lip is more common than the latter, but how common are craniofacial abnormalities in general? Are they becoming more common, and if this is the case, then what are the most common cranial abnormalities that affect the human population today?
Craniofacial abnormalities are not as uncommon as one might think. They do affect many individuals worldwide, but when compared to other health conditions, they can be described as relatively rare. However, birth defects affecting the face or skull, such as cleft lip and palate, are still regularly seen across the globe.
While some craniofacial abnormalities are more common than others, such conditions can occur in people of all ages, races, and ethnic backgrounds. These conditions may also be present at birth or develop later in life due to genetic factors, environmental toxin exposure, and even have causes that remain unknown to science.
There is some evidence to suggest that certain cases of craniofacial abnormalities may be increasing. For example, the incidence of cleft lip and palate has been on the rise in recent years. This could be due to a combination of genetic factors and environmental influences.
Additionally, advances in medical technology have made it easier to diagnose craniofacial abnormalities early on, leading to an apparent increase in reported cases.
As already mentioned, cleft lip and palate is one of the most common of all craniofacial abnormalities. The cause of this disorder is thought to be a mix of inherited genetic conditions and environmental factors.
Cleft lip and palate occur when tissue on the top of the lip and roof of the mouth do not fuse together during a baby’s development in the womb. This results in a split in the lip and if the palate is affected, then there is also a split in the roof of the mouth as well.
Cleft lip and palate can cause facial disfigurement, other symptoms can include difficulty with feeding, swallowing, speaking, and chronic ear infections also accompany this disorder. In severe cases, surgical intervention is needed to repair the splits.
Craniosynostosis is a condition in which one or more of the structures in an infant’s skull prematurely fuse together, leading to an abnormal head shape. This condition affects approximately 1 in every 2,500 newborns and can cause cognitive and developmental issues if not treated promptly. The most serious cases require surgery to reshape the skull.
Microtia is a condition in which the external ear is underdeveloped or absent. This condition occurs in about 1 in every 6,000-12,000 births and can vary in severity from a small, malformed ear to a complete absence of the ear canal and middle ear structures.
Surgery here aims to reconstruct the ear using a patient’s rib cartilage. Alternatively, a plastic implant can be embedded under the skin instead.
Treacher-Collins syndrome is a rare genetic disorder affecting how facial bones and tissues develop. Individuals with this condition may have underdeveloped cheekbones, cleft palate, and downward-slanting eyes.
Treacher-Collins syndrome occurs in approximately 1 in every 50,000 births and has numerous and sometimes serious symptoms such as breathing difficulties. Major facial reconstruction surgery is one of the most effective treatment options available.