Cleft Palate News and Research

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Cleft lip and cleft palate are birth defects that affect the upper lip and roof of the mouth. They happen when the tissue that forms the roof of the mouth and upper lip don't join before birth. The problem can range from a small notch in the lip to a groove that runs into the roof of the mouth and nose. This can affect the way the child's face looks. It can also lead to problems with eating, talking and ear infections.

CRISPR genome editing has foreseeable implications for plastic and reconstructive surgery

The CRISPR genome editing technique promises to be a "transformative leap" in genetic engineering and therapy, affecting almost every area of medicine.

31 Oct 2018

A promising new approach for repairing cleft palate in infants

A technique using umbilical cord blood stem cells could be a promising new approach for repair of cleft palate in infants, reports a paper in The Journal of Craniofacial Surgery, published in the Lippincott portfolio by Wolters Kluwer.

3 Oct 2018

Experts to present research on prevention, management of dysphagia at international conference

Over 800 delegates from 46 countries will attend the 8th annual European Society for Swallowing Disorders Congress taking place in Dublin next week to hear about new developments in swallowing disorder research.

19 Sep 2018

Discovery of key mechanism may lead to more functional skin grafts for burn victims

University of Colorado Boulder researchers have discovered a key mechanism by which skin begins to develop in embryos, shedding light on the genetic roots of birth defects like cleft palate and paving the way for development of more functional skin grafts for burn victims.

14 Sep 2018

One in 14 pregnant women continue to smoke

According to a report released this week (28th February 2018), one in 14 women who have given birth in the United States has smoked during their pregnancy despite warnings regarding the harmful effects of the same. The report comes from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC’s) National Center for Health Statistics.

1 Mar 2018

Researchers identify cause of severe genetic disease

Mutations in the p63 protein lead to a number of disorders, but none is as severe as the AEC syndrome. Scientists at Goethe University Frankfurt in collaboration with a research group from the University of Naples Federico II have now discovered that this syndrome resembles diseases such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's or ALS more closely than it does other p63-based syndromes.

2 Feb 2018

Study: Higher dose of anti-seizure drug during pregnancy may increase baby's risk of cleft lip, palate

Taking a higher dose of topiramate during the first three months of pregnancy may increase a baby's risk of cleft lip or cleft palate more than when taking a lower dose, according to a study published in the December 27, 2017, online issue of Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.

28 Dec 2017

ASU professor reveals more about craniofacial conditions before release of ‘Wonder’

The new film "Wonder" tells the story of a young boy who overcomes the challenges of living with the facial structural abnormality known as Treacher Collins Syndrome.

17 Nov 2017

Researchers identify new in-utero treatment to reverse cleft palate in mouse models

Researchers at University of Utah Health clarified a molecular pathway responsible for the formation of cleft palate and identified a new treatment to reverse this defect in mouse pups in-utero.

13 Sep 2017

Digital technology could help reliably diagnose cleft lips and palates in remote patients

In today’s connected world, surgeons and anesthesiologists have the ability to use widely available technology, such as GoPro cameras, Skype, WebEx, and Google Chat to remotely care for patients in distant countries.

23 Aug 2017

Study seeks to understand genetic synergy in cleft palate

Like all of the individual elements of fetal development, palate growth is a marvel of nature. In part of this process, ledges of tissue on the sides of the face grow downwards on each side of the tongue, then upward, fusing at the midline at the top of the mouth.

19 Jul 2017

NHGRI researchers use facial recognition software to diagnose rare genetic disease

Researchers with the National Human Genome Research Institute, part of the National Institutes of Health, and their collaborators, have successfully used facial recognition software to diagnose a rare, genetic disease in Africans, Asians and Latin Americans.

24 Mar 2017

Researchers evaluate quality, methodology of randomized control trials pertaining to cleft lip and palate

A majority of healthcare studies are conducted using a randomized control trial (RCT). These trials randomly assign participants into groups who either receive or do not receive treatment. However, until the mid-1990s, some of these studies were falling victim to inadequate reporting, thereby causing confusing and potentially biased results.

9 Feb 2017

Birth of infant with major congenital anomaly linked to increased risk of death in mother

In Denmark, having a child with a major congenital anomaly was associated with a small but statistically significant increased risk of death in the mother compared with women without an affected child, according to a study appearing in the December 20 issue of JAMA.

20 Dec 2016

Dental problems linked to cleft lip and palate may be caused by abnormal salivary glands

A new study in the Journal of Dental Research suggests that dental problems commonly associated with cleft lip and palate may be caused by abnormalities in salivary glands and an imbalance of immune compounds in the mouth.

7 Dec 2016

SWAT team of immune cells linked to low infection rates after cleft lip and palate surgery in infants

The mouth is widely considered the dirtiest part of the human body, yet babies have surprisingly low infection rates following cleft lip and palate surgery.

18 Oct 2016

Steroids for treating infertility in women may have harmful effects on pregnancy and child

Researchers at the University of Adelaide are urging doctors and patients to refrain from using a specific steroid treatment to treat infertility in women unless clinically indicated, because of its links to miscarriage, preterm birth and birth defects.

9 Sep 2016

Cleft palate repair costs the same for internationally adopted children

Since 2009, United States residents have adopted more children from China than any other country. Since China has a high prevalence of cleft lip and palate, some of these children require extra medical care early in their lives. Many prospective families are fearful of the treatment costs needed by a child affected by cleft lip and palate. However, recent research suggests that the costs are not nearly as high as previously thought.

29 Aug 2016

New article explores reasons behind multiple follow-up surgeries for cleft lip

Children born with cleft lip/palate go through extensive treatments that usually begin before their first birthday.

29 Jul 2016

New study may contribute to ongoing debate on fortification program

Fortifying the U.S. food supply with folic acid was not associated with a decline in certain birth defects that researchers expected to see in California, according to a new study from the Stanford University School of Medicine.

23 May 2016