Craniofacial birth defects: The role of neural crest cells in the etiology and pathogenesis of Treacher Collins syndrome and the potential for prevention.

ABSTRACT: Of all the babies born with birth defects, approximately one-third display anomalies of the head and face [Gorlin et al., 1990] including cleft lip, cleft palate, small or absent facial and skull bones and improperly formed nose, eyes, ears, and teeth. Craniofacial disorders are a primary cause of infant mortality and have serious lifetime functional, esthetic, and social consequences that are devastating to both children and parents alike. Comprehensive surgery, dental care, psychological counseling, and rehabilitation can help ameliorate-specific problems but at great cost over many years which dramatically affects national health care budgets. For example, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that the lifetime cost of treating the children born each year with cleft li

SUBMITTER: Trainor PA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3686507 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature