Folic Acid And Pregnancy - Is There A Connection Between This B Vitamin And Orofacial Clefts?

The birth of a child with any form of defect can be earth shattering event for parents. There is a tremendous amount of research on this topic over the past few years. Many studies suggest a link between diet and lack of some shortcomings.

There is strong evidence to indicate that the B vitamin folic acid can help prevent some incidents of birth defects.

Folic Acid Studies have shown that it can help to prevent neural tube birth defects. These include spina bifida and anencephaly. With this in mind we must ask is whether any link between folic acid and orofacial cleft birth defects?

The split is the failure of tissues to grow together properly. In this case, it's mouth and the roof of the mouth that does not seem right. There are two main types of facial clefts.

Orofacial Clefts ,types of cleft lip

Cleft lip, where the two sides of the lips are separated. In some cases, it may involve the bones of the upper jaw and upper gum. Actual size can vary the split as well.

A cleft palate is opening in the roof of the mouth. Most of the hard palate in front of the roof, however, in some cases the soft palate at the back of the mouth may be involved. In both cases, the actual weight can vary quite significantly.

It is usually 5 to 9 weeks after conception to orofacial clefts can occur. The formation of the lip and palate occur during this time, although each developed separately. No mandatory for orofacial clefts, although they can be detected by ultrasound. Therefore, it is only when the baby is born to rip the condition is recognized.

The incidence of neural tube defect is one in 500, but for orofacial clefts is one in 750, with one state grows as high as one in the 450th More than 100 affected children are born each year.

The exact cause of this condition is not stated, but it is suspected that a combination of genes and environmental factors. However, orofacial clefts are often associated with other defects as part of the syndrome. There are hundreds of syndromes that are associated with this condition. Many syndromes are known chromosomal or genetic causes.

It is possible to repair these cracks with the procedure. Even so, more operations are usually needed to complete the reconstruction of lip and palate. There are other problems that are associated with this condition. These include feeding problems, ear infections, speech and dental problems. However, we must not forget the effect of these operations have on both the child and his parents.

Needless to say, the medical bills for this treatment is performed in hundreds of thousands of dollars per child.


This is the most common birth defect in this country. Unfortunately, about 15% of children born with this condition die before the age of one. This is usually due to associated birth defects.

Is there a link between folic acid and orofacial clefts?

Mothers of infants with orofacial clefts and mothers of infants with orofacial none were part of a recent study. All mothers were asked to be taken or a multivitamin with folic acid or eat cereals fortified with folic acid.

Results showed that mothers who took multivitamins from one month to two months after conception to reduce the risk by 25 to 50% compared to women not using multivitamins.

However, the study pointed out that this result can be the result, especially folic acid in their opinion vlastitu.Većina thought that this could be the result of other ingredients in multivitamins which works in conjunction with folic acid.

Women who could become pregnant should increase their daily amount of folic acid. This can make it a proper diet or folic acid supplement.

If you are pregnant, then you should contact your doctor and ask his advice before beginning any form of supplement.

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Dealing With Cleft Lip and Palate Problems

About one in every 600-800 children has a cleft lip. Palate problems are also very common. New parents everywhere to be concerned about issues arising out of these facial deformities, but as with many birth defects, if treated soon after birth, the baby can go on to live normal, healthy life. With a team of doctors on your side, your child will get the best treatment possible.

understanding the causes

Cleft lip and palate occurs when the tissue forming the face does not fuse together properly. Cracks are different in each child. In some, the cleft is unilateral, which means that tissue is not formed correctly on only one side.

Others are engaged in bilateral clefts, which affect both sides of the upper lip. If the gap reaches the nostril, it is called a complete cleft, and if it only affects the lips, it is called partial or incomplete cleavage. In some cases, children are born with clefts only microform, which are small students, often the result of a split that is fixed in the womb. With a cleft lip, palate problems include cracks are also common, occurring in about one in every 700 births. With cleft palate, there is a hole in the roof of the mouth where the hard and soft palate did not fuse together.

This situation is somewhat more serious than a split lip, but the treatment can greatly improve your quality of life for babies. This is not just a cosmetic problem. Yes, cleft lip reconstruction can improve the appearance of a normal person, but without treatment your child could face breathing, eating and speaking problems. In short, cleft lips, palates and other facial deformities present at birth can be damaging in several ways.

There is no known cause for Still, one of 14 children whose parents were born with deformities are suffering also.

Environmental factors, however, also play a role. As a mother, can not fully prevent this condition, but healthy activity can reduce the chances of these conditions will occur. Mothers who smoke, use drugs or drink alcohol during pregnancy increases the risk of their child is born with a cleft lip.

In addition, cleft lip and cleft palate problems are linked to exposure to pesticides, lead, nitrates and other dangerous substances.

treatment

Surgery, if needed, are typically done as soon as possible after birth. Because babies are at risk for surgical complications, doctors usually wait until after ten weeks mark, and they love the child weighs at least 10 pounds.

After the lip is repaired through a cleft lip reconstruction, doctors are small prosthetic in the mouth to cover the hole. Palate repair, then it can be done about one year mark. Children dealing with cleft lip or cleft palate usually need care throughout their lives to solve the problem. Bone grafts may be needed to repair the skull and orthodontic problems are not uncommon. Children may also be needed to help with speech, and many young people and adults to opt for a more cosmetic surgery to improve the appearance of the lips. In short, this is a problem that you have to deal with for many years.

The good news is that on your own, cleft lip and palate are not life threatening in any way! These are problems that can be repaired.

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Understanding Cleft Lip and Cleft Palates in Infants

Cleft Lip and Cleft Palates in Infants

Oral clefts are one of the most visually noticeable birth defects in newborns. Although cleft lip or cleft palate is usually just a visual impairment, it can be hard to live a birth defect.

The fourth most newborns in the United States, cleft lip or cleft palate affect one in 750 babies each year, according to Web MD. Children with oral clefts can suffer from the inconvenience, and may also have difficulty speaking and eating cleft lip palate, if left untreated.

It is important that parents understand oral clefts, as they are and what you can do to prevent and treat them.

What is an oral cleft?

Oral cleft lip is a deformity, usually near nose. deformity is true to its name because it resembles a space, gap or indentation in the mouth area. There are several types of oral clefts, including cleft lip, cleft palate or a combination of the two.

Cleft lip, where the child is on oral tissues is not fully connected during development. When a child is born will appear as a gap in the lip. More boys than girls have cleft lip, according to Kids Health. However, more girls than boys cleft palate.

Located on the roof of the mouth behind the teeth, cleft palate, which the child is verbal palate does not close the development gap in letting hard or soft palate, which can vary in length. Sometimes this gap in the palate may expose the underside of the nose and lead to complications of the nose.

A child can have cleft lip and cleft palate, where both the lip and palate have a gap. This occurs when the tissues of the oral and the panel does not connect.

Lips features develop in early fetal growth, usually about eight weeks. This often allows the deformation of the lips to be seen before the baby is born with ultrasound. However, treatment can not begin until after the baby is born.

What can be done about it?

Oral clefts are caused by environmental and genetic factors. Despite this knowledge, there is currently no process in place guaranteed to prevent the development of oral clefts. One suggestion for mothers is to make sure that they are not in any strong medication, especially acne medication. Maintaining a healthy diet is wise as well. However, when the fetus has developed oral clefts, surgery is the most common treatment.

Luckily, medicine has evolved to the point where many oral cleft conditions treatable by surgery. Palatoplasty is a surgical procedure to reconstruct patients with cleft palate the palate. operation is intended to close the abnormal opening between the nose and mouth, as well as helping the patient to develop normal speech and help in swallowing, breathing and normal development of the mouth.

Many of these operations are personalized, like every cleft lip palate is different. The best time for this operation when a child aged six to 12 months of age. This gives them the best possible way to fully recover.

Is surgery the best option?

As explained earlier, all oral clefts are different, so no one can be treated in the same way. In some cases, such as cleft lip less, patients may require a small surgical procedure to strain seems nonexistent. However, in other cases, cleft palate can seriously affect speech and way of life.

Parents who are preparing to have a child with a cleft lip should discuss all available options with your doctor, especially children's surgeon, who can better explain exactly what their child will need

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