Hemifacial microsomia is a birth defect that affects the development of the face, causing disfigurements of the ears, jaws, and mouths. The cause is unknown, but it may be related to poor blood circulation during early pregnancy. Reconstructive surgery can improve aesthetics and function, but multiple procedures may be necessary. Children with severe cases may face lifelong impairments.
Hemifacial microsomia is a birth defect that interrupts development up to the middle of the face. Children who are born with hemifacial microsomia usually suffer from mild to severe disfigurements of the ears, jaws, and mouths, which can cause significant hearing, breathing, and speech problems. The condition has no known biological or environmental cause, although medical studies suggest that a blood insufficiency in early pregnancy may play a role. Surgeons can perform reconstructive procedures to improve the aesthetics and function of facial features in children with more severe hemifacial microsomia.
The first two months of pregnancy are especially important for a baby’s normal and healthy development. Researchers believe that something close to the two-month mark occurs that disrupts facial development in babies with hemifacial microsomia. The exact causes are unknown, but studies suggest that hereditary factors or physical trauma can cause poor blood circulation to the face, leading to underdeveloped bone and muscle tissue.
Hemifacial microsomia primarily affects the formation of the ears, jaw and mouth and can occur on one or both sides of the lower face. Teeth tend to grow irregularly, and facial nerves may malfunction, causing numbness and an inability to control facial movements. Microsomia can also cause one eye socket to be smaller than the other and angled towards the cheek. It is common for babies to suffer from hearing and breathing problems, and in severe cases tracheotomies may be needed to allow newborns to breathe.
Specialists known as craniofacial doctors and geneticists can diagnose the condition and rule out other possible afflictions by conducting physical exams, taking x-rays, and performing computed tomography scans. Surgical treatment is usually delayed until a child has a chance to develop more fully in infancy. Depending on the severity and location of the deformities, a craniofacial surgeon may choose to graft bone from a rib to form the jaw or reshape the ears, mouth, and cheeks using specialized procedures.
An individual may need to undergo several surgical procedures during his childhood and adolescence to improve the structure and function of his facial features. An experienced surgeon may be able to allow a child with mild hemifacial microsomia to regain full function, with only minor abnormalities visible. Children with severe deformities can face lifelong hearing, speech, and movement impairments, which can often be managed with hearing aids, ongoing speech therapy, and sessions with physical therapists.
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