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In general, most newborns are born healthy, but some are born with certain birth defects, which are called congenital anomalies. Congenital abnormalities are addressed in plastic and cosmetic surgery through birth anomaly repair. These surgeries may substantially enhance the quality of life by addressing physical anomalies that may damage a child's appearance or ability to function optimally.
Anatomical faults occur when a particular body part is absent or deformed. The most prevalent structural abnormalities include spina bifida, which occurs when the spinal cord fails to grow normally. Clubfoot, which occurs when the foot turns inward rather than forward. Heart defects and a cleft lip or palate occur when there is an opening or split in the lip or root of the mouth. All of these can be treated surgically or non-surgically, which enhances both the child's and their parent's lives.
Developments in surgical techniques, such as Tissue Engineering, Microsurgery, and Minimally Invasive Treatments, have enhanced the effectiveness and safety of these surgical repairs, leading to better results and quicker recovery times. Birth anomaly repair plays a vital role in plastic and cosmetic surgery by minimising the physical and psychological impact of congenital deformities on the affected child and their parents.
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Congenital anomalies can have a variety of origins, but research has definitively identified no single cause for any given congenital abnormality. Environmental factors and genetic anomalies account for a large percentage of birth malformations.
Genetic Concerns: Gene deletions or mutations can bring on disorders that can lead to genetic abnormalities. Such an example is Fragile X syndrome.
Chromosome Problems: Missing or excess chromosomes can cause disorders like Turner syndrome (the absence of the X chromosome) and Down syndrome (the presence of an additional chromosome).
Infections: Pregnant mothers who contract infections during gestation with the Zika virus may give birth to abnormalities like microcephaly. For instance, birth abnormalities might also result from exposure to rubella.
Chemical and Medication Exposure: Congenital abnormalities can arise from exposure to poisonous chemicals or dangerous compounds, such as thalidomide, during pregnancy.
Certain drugs may affect a foetus's development and result in birth abnormalities. Typical drugs that can cause birth abnormalities include:
Consult with a healthcare professional about the vitamins and medications you currently take, as well as any potential adverse effects from prescription drugs, if you are pregnant or intend to get pregnant. If it's safe for you to keep taking a particular drug, they will inform you. Until your practitioner gives you the all-clear, don't stop taking the medication.
Screening Tests
During the first trimester, the following screening tests are carried out:
Blood Screen: Checks for chromosomal disorders, including Down syndrome, by measuring foetal DNA or protein levels
Ultrasound: Looks for excess fluid behind the foetus's neck, which could be a sign of chromosomal or cardiac issues
During the second trimester, tests are carried out to detect problems concerning the anatomy.
Serum Screen: Blood tests are done for spina bifida and chromosomal disorders in the second trimester
Anomaly Ultrasound: Determines the size of the foetus and looks for structural birth abnormalities
Diagnostic Examinations
If screening is not normal, you may undergo:
Foetal Echocardiogram: An ultrasound scan of the heart in the foetus
Foetal MRI: Inspects the nervous system and brain of the foetus
Chorionic Villus Sampling: Examines placental tissue for genetic or chromosomal abnormalities
Amniocentesis: Examines amniotic fluid for infections such as CMV, genetic alterations, and chromosomal abnormalities
Some birth defects, such as cleft lips, are discovered right away after delivery, while others take time to manifest. Keep an eye on your symptoms and let the doctor know.
The diagnosis determines the course of treatment. It typically aims to correct any structural problems or reduce symptoms and possible outcomes, which include:
A plastic surgeon will repair the newborn's cleft lip initially, usually by the time the child is three months old. Cheiloplasty is the surgical procedure used to accomplish this. Under general anaesthesia, the procedure is carried out in a hospital. The purpose of this surgery is to:
Before cleft lip repair, special procedures such as lip adhesion or nasal alveolar moulding (NAM) may be used if the cleft lip is wide to improve the form of the nose and bring the lip portions closer together. The cleft is replaced with a little scar beneath the nose following cleft lip surgery.
The goal of cleft palate surgery is to seal the aperture in the roof of the mouth. It is usually done on infants between the ages of 9 and 18 months. Through the repositioning and suturing of tissue and muscles, the treatment restores normal function for eating and speaking. Following surgery, patients are monitored for any complications, and as the child grows, they will have to undergo Speech Therapy to treat any residual problems. Modern surgical methods have produced better results, decreased the possibility of problems, and increased the child's capacity to lead a normal life.
Plastic surgeons can typically help patients with congenital hand defects regain comfort, mobility, and a normal appearance, regardless of whether the defect was acquired or congenital. Children with syndactyly benefit from finger separation, which involves cutting a zigzag pattern between the fingers to reorganise the tissue and avoid abnormal growth. Correcting a child with polydactyly (extra fingers) usually involves more than just cutting off the additional digits. To restore as much function as possible to the hand, the surgeon might also need to stabilise the remaining finger joints and balance the hand's tendons. Additionally, plastic surgeons replace amputated fingers, such as the thumb, which provide half of the hand's functionality.
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