Cleft palate doctors in Dallas

Cleft palate is a facial abnormality developed in some newborns, but it doesn't have to be permanent.

At Fetal Care Center, we offer care for a broad spectrum of newborn anomalies occurring in the head and facial bones. Each vary in severity and come in many different forms, so treatment will be personalized to your child’s unique symptoms.

Craniofacial conditions we treat

We provide a comprehensive fetal diagnosis and care plan for a variety of craniofacial conditions, including:

  • Agnathia
  • Anophthalmia
  • Cleft lip
  • Cleft palate
  • Hemifacial microsomia
  • Hypertelorism
  • Hypotelorism
  • Macroglossia
  • Micrognathia
  • Microphthalmia

Treatment for cleft palate and other anomalies

While craniofacial anomalies aren’t attributed to one single element, certain factors do contribute to their development. Those include a combination of genes from one or both parents, environmental exposure and folic acid deficiency.

Cleft lip and cleft palate

Cleft lip and cleft palate are among the most common congenital craniofacial anomalies. They refer to a separation that appears either in the lip or the roof of the mouth, also known as the palate. Proper lip and palate development occurs when these structures grow toward the center of the face and fuse together. A cleft lip happens if the tissue that makes up the lip does not join completely before birth. This results in an opening in the upper lip where the degree of the cleft can vary greatly.

Women who do not take folic acid during pregnancy can be at a higher risk of having a baby with cleft lip or cleft palate. In most instances, a prenatal ultrasound can detect them as early as 16 weeks into a pregnancy.

Treatment for a cleft lip and cleft palate usually involves reconstructive surgery within the first year of life. Additionally, other supportive services may be required to manage possible feeding issues, hearing difficulties, speech problems or dental abnormalities.

Supplemental craniofacial anomaly care

In addition to treatment for cleft lip and palate, we focus on a variety of other different types of facial anomalies that affect children.

Hemifacial microsomia

Hemifacial microsomia is a condition that occurs with underdeveloped tissues on one side of the face. In some instances, both sides of the face may be affected. Hemifacial microsomia primarily affects the ear, mouth and jaw areas. However, it can also affect some of the nerves in the face and other parts of the body.

This condition is the result of poor blood supply to the face during the early stages of pregnancy, but can also result from genetic diseases, such as Goldenhar syndrome. It is typically nonprogressive, meaning that the facial areas affected at birth will remain similarly affected throughout the baby's initial growth and development. Treatment varies significantly, with the goal being to balance the appearance of both sides of the face as much as possible. Depending on the particular characteristics of each child’s condition, they may be referred for surgery to correct any jaw or ear abnormalities.

Hypertelorism

Children born with hypertelorism have an abnormally large distance between their eyes. This may be unilateral or bilateral, symmetric or asymmetric, and may be present in a variety of other craniofacial conditions. Surgery is the only effective treatment for bringing the eyes closer together. This surgery is usually performed when the child is between five and eight years of age to prevent damage to tooth development.

Macroglossia

Macroglossia refers to a tongue that is abnormally large in proportion to other structures in the mouth. It is often associated with several congenital conditions, including Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome, acromegaly, primary amyloidosis, congenital hypothyroidism, Down syndrome and Apert syndrome. In certain situations, it can be acquired through metabolic or endocrine conditions, inflammatory or infectious diseases and through trauma. It rarely occurs without other abnormalities present, but can be genetically passed down as an autosomal dominant trait.

Treatment depends on the underlying cause. Surgery will sometimes be recommended to reduce the size of the tongue, which can improve speech, appearance, chewing and feeding.

Micrognathia and agnathia

Micrognathia, also known as mandibular hypoplasia, is a routine children's craniofacial issue in which the lower jaw is undersized. While it may interfere with your infant’s feeding and breathing, it can correct itself as they grow. Micrognathia can also occur as a result of genetic issues. Treatment for micrognathia includes nonsurgical therapies to improve breathing, as well as surgery to correct more severe instances.

Agnathia is a rarer jaw condition defined by one or both jawbones being partially or completely missing. It is usually associated with otocephaly, a more far-reaching condition defined by irregular jaw development, missing tongue and fused ears. The majority of fetuses with agnathia run the risk of experiencing very serious complications.

Microphthalmia and anophthalmia

Microphthalmia and anophthalmia are rare eye conditions that develop during pregnancy. Microphthalmia occurs when one or both eyes are abnormally small, while anophthalmia describes the absence of one or both eyes. Both disorders are often associated with other birth abnormalities, including genetic mutations or abnormal chromosomes. Additionally, exposure to toxins, viruses, chemicals and X-rays can increase the risk of developing the disorder.

There is no treatment for severe anophthalmia or microphthalmia that will create a new eye or restore vision. Some of the less severe instances can be treated, particularly in children with microphthalmia and some vision. In both instances, prosthetic eyes can be used for cosmetic purposes and to promote normal facial growth, although they will not improve vision.