![]() Neural crest interactions with the periocular mesenchyme and the neural tube-derived optic cup are critical for ocular morphogenesis defects in these interactions result in microphthalmia and coloboma. Weigele and Bohnsack’s review focuses on the key role that the cranial neural crest plays during ocular development and congenital eye diseases. The authors also discuss potential approaches for craniofacial tissue regeneration as well as treatment for craniosynostosis. ![]() In this Special Issue, Siismets and Hatch review our current understanding of the contribution of neural crest to craniofacial development and various craniofacial anomalies, and then focus on the pathogenesis of coronal craniosynostosis, the premature closure of the coronal suture that causes significant clinical outcomes. One of the major embryonic contributors to the craniofacial tissues is the cranial neural crest, a pluripotent population of cells originating from the border of the neural plate that migrate away from the neural tube as it closes and migrate into the periphery to form multiple craniofacial tissues, including the anterior skull and the skeleton of the face. Many of these advances are exemplified in the studies that comprise this Special Issue on “Craniofacial Genetics and Developmental Biology”, revealing many new insights into normal and aberrant craniofacial development. In recent years, however, research has focused on using advanced genomic and transcriptomic approaches to screen patients for causative variants, high resolution imaging, and morphometrics to describe phenotypes more accurately, and animal models that harbor human syndromic variants. A large body of previous research has elucidated many of the cellular and molecular processes that underlie the normal interactions between the various embryonic cell types that contribute to these tissues as well as the genes and signals that are aberrant in craniofacial syndromes. Because of this high incidence and the clinical importance of correcting skeletal dysmorphologies by surgical interventions, the developmental biology and pediatric research communities have been highly engaged in investigating how these tissues form during normal development and discovering the genetic underpinnings of the hundreds of distinct congenital craniofacial syndromes. Some more serious craniofacial abnormalities may cause permanent damage, but treatments are still available that offer supportive care to the child and family.Each year approximately 35% of babies are born with craniofacial abnormalities of the skull, jaws, ears, and/or teeth, which in turn can lead to problems in feeding, hearing, and sight. Some minor abnormalities require no medical treatment, while anomalies like cleft lip and palate can be repaired surgically. Treatments are available for many craniofacial abnormalities and will vary widely based on the nature of the condition. What are craniofacial abnormality care options? They can range from very mild, to severe problems involving eye sight, hearing issues and/or learning disabilities. The symptoms of craniofacial abnormalities vary widely depending on what type of craniofacial abnormality is present. What are the symptoms of craniofacial abnormalities? What causes craniofacial abnormalities?įrequently there is no single cause instead researchers believe that some combination of genetic factors from one or both parents, environmental factors, such as exposure to harmful chemicals, and/or a deficiency of folic acid may play a role in the development of craniofacial abnormalities. They are also sometimes referred to as craniofacial anomalies. The different abnormalities that can occur do so from different growth patterns of the face or skull and include some of the most common and rare birth defects that affect newborn babies (common most infants with cleft lip/cleft palate- rare Treacher Collins syndrome). Also known as: craniofacial anomalies, CFA, birth defects What are craniofacial abnormalities?Ĭraniofacial is a broad medical term that describes abnormalities of the bones of the skull and face.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |