Craniofacial disorders can be distressing medical conditions for sufferers to experience, especially if the affected are children. Such disorders are often accompanied by psychological and physical problems that can interfere with the vital development of a child at such a crucial stage in life.
These problems can range from social anxiety and depression to difficulties in eating, breathing, and even speaking. The consequences that accompany craniofacial disorders can impact the quality of life, communication, and a child’s safety, due to hazards such as choking and even possible suffocation.
Fortunately, some specialists are trained to diagnose and treat these disorders in children. These medical professionals can significantly improve children’s lives, symptoms, and their appearance. But what type of specialists treat craniofacial disorders in children?
Craniofacial surgeons are the primary specialists that can help treat children with craniofacial disorders. Such specialists are trained in the extensive and complex nature of surgery that is needed to treat craniofacial disorders.
These individuals have specialist knowledge of plastic surgery techniques, including facial reconstruction and the workings of the ears, nose, and throat.
In addition to the specialist surgical needs of child patients with craniofacial disorders comes the need for input from other medical professionals such as paediatricians, geneticists, speech therapists, orthodontists, and psychologists. A multidisciplinary team approach is often needed to successfully provide care for children with craniofacial disorders.
In the first instance, a craniofacial specialist is responsible for evaluating, diagnosing, and treating craniofacial disorders in children. They may use a variety of techniques, such as surgery, post-surgical care like speech therapy, and drug therapy if needed.
Some of the medical procedures that may be performed include complex cranial remodelling, facial reconstruction, cleft lip and palate repair, and jaw reconstruction.
The purpose of these procedures is to improve the function and appearance of the head and face, as well as to address any associated health issues, such as breathing and swallowing difficulties.
A child should see a specialist for medical treatment if certain signs and symptoms are present and are becoming problematic. These can include hearing issues, vision problems, delays in natural development, and difficulties in breathing, swallowing, eating, and speaking.
All these symptoms can result from abnormal head or facial shape and features which may only be successfully treated with surgery.
If a child has any of these symptoms, it is important to consult with a paediatrician and a craniofacial specialist for medical evaluation. Early intervention and treatment are advisable as this offers the best chance to improve the outcomes of surgery and all other treatments associated with childhood craniofacial disorders.
The length of time a child needs to see a craniofacial specialist is highly dependent on the specific disorder and its severity. Some children may only need to see a specialist for a short time, while others may require ongoing care over several years.
This especially applies to children who have undergone extensive surgical procedures that need time to heal. Furthermore, such cases also require post-operative care and medications to prevent pain and infection.
In general, a child with a craniofacial disorder will need to see a specialist regularly for monitoring and follow-up appointments. These appointments may be scheduled every few months or on an as-needed basis, depending on the child’s individual needs and both their mental and physical health.
Emotional problems can take longer to treat and last beyond childhood. However, this mostly depends on the severity of the craniofacial disorder that was treated and the effect the experience has had on the child emotionally.