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Genetics of cleft lip and palate
1Division of Human Genetics, Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA.
Insights
Pediatric nurses play a vital role in caring for children with cleft lip and/or palate (CL/CP). This overview covers CL/CP genetics, development, and nursing care from infancy through adolescence.
Area of Science:
- Genetics
- Pediatric Nursing
- Birth Defects
Background:
- Cleft lip with or without cleft palate (CL/CP) is a common congenital anomaly.
- Treatment spans 18 years, involving surgery, speech, and dental care.
- Pediatric nurses provide continuous care from infancy to adolescence.
Purpose of the Study:
- To educate pediatric nurses on the basics of CL/CP genetics.
- To provide an overview of CL/CP development, classification, and pathophysiology.
- To highlight genetic counseling, prenatal diagnosis, and nursing implications.
Main Methods:
- Literature review on CL/CP genetics and development.
- Synthesis of information on incidence, inheritance, and causes.
- Compilation of nursing care considerations.
Main Results:
- Normal lip and palate development outlined.
- Classification, pathophysiology, and etiology of CL/CP detailed.
- Genetic counseling, prenatal diagnosis, and fetal surgery discussed.
Conclusions:
- Understanding CL/CP genetics is crucial for pediatric nurses.
- Comprehensive care requires knowledge of CL/CP from development to treatment.
- This overview equips nurses to better support patients and families.
Abstract:
Cleft lip with or without cleft palate (CL/CP) is one of the most common structural birth defects, with treatment including multiple surgeries, speech therapy, and dental and orthodontic treatments over the first 18 years of life. As a result of the treatment interventions, pediatric nurses may be required to care for these children beginning in infancy through adolescence. Providing care for these patients and families can include educating patients and parents about the genetics of CL/CP, as well as meeting their immediate medical needs. A basic overview of normal lip and palate development, classification of clefts, pathophysiology of CL/CP, incidence, inheritance, genetic and environmental causes, genetic counseling, prenatal diagnosis, fetal surgery, and nursing implications is provided to educate pediatric nurses about the basics of the genetics of CL/CP.
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