CRANIOFACIAL SURGERY
Congenital anomalies
The most common birth defects and genetic disorders that require head and face reconstruction are:
Treacher Collins Syndrome - resulting from mutation of the human chromosome 5, this condition leads to craniofacial deformities such as an excessively small jaw and airway. In some cases, the ears may be abnormal or even missing.
Cleft Palate - a common birth defect, this affects about one in every 700 infants.
Down syndrome - this is the most common congenital disorder resulting in profound facial features such as small ears, slanted eyes and a large tongue.
Crouzon and Apert syndromes - these syndromes are usually classified together as they consist of a closing in the bones at the top of the skull. As a result, people with these syndromes have a deformed head shape and breathing problems.