Congenital Conditions of the Head and Face

Congenital conditions are present at birth. Congenital diseases are frequently inherited, but they can also be affected by events that occur during pregnancy, and the expression of inherited disorders is often influenced by environmental factors after birth.
 
Some of these conditions cause abnormal growth or development of the head and facial bones: 

• Cleft lip - the lip does not completely form.
• Cleft palate - the roof of the mouth does not close completely, leaving an opening that may extend into the nasal cavity
• Craniosynostosis - the soft spots in an infant’s skull close too early
• Hemifacial microsomia - the tissues on one side of the face are underdeveloped, usually involving the ear, mouth or jaw
• Vascular malformation - a birthmark or growth composed of blood vessels that may cause functional problems
• Hemangioma - an abnormally growing blood vessel in the skin (also known as a port wine stain)

Treating Congenital Conditions of the Head and Face
Surgery is frequently the best option to correct or alleviate congenital conditions of the head and face. A patient may require multiple procedures in order to correct a problem. This is especially true in the case of an infant or a child. In some cases maxillofacial surgery greatly improves a patient’s ability to breath, eat or speak. At Houston Methodist a multidisciplinary team of doctors, including orthodontists, geneticist, and maxillofacial surgeons, works to ensure the highest quality of patient care.