About
Us: References: Brochures
The Center for Craniofacial
Development and Disorders
For treatment, teaching and research related
to craniofacial disorders in young patients.
A craniofacial deformity occurs once in every 500 births.
Fortunately, many of these children will benefit from ground-breaking
research into the scientific basis of craniofacial abnormalities
underway at the Johns Hopkins Center for Craniofacial Development
and Disorders. Here, research discoveries are translated into medical
and surgical care by a highly experienced, interdisciplinary team
of specialists, resulting in expert clinical care for young patients
with anomalies of the face and skull.
Understanding human development...
Early in human development, the craniofacial region begins as a
small collection of cells. Governed by a strict set of instructions
inherited from our parents, these cells grow and divide through
an intricate pattern that eventually forms the bone, muscle and
skin of the fully developed head and face. The Center’s scientists
study how genes—the basic units of this set of instructions—influence
the development of the head and face. So far, they have identified
hundreds of genes that play a critical role in proper craniofacial
development, and described mutations in many genes that cause abnormalities.
...and why it sometimes goes awry
Cleft lip, cleft palate and craniosynostosis—premature fusion of
skull bones that often requires surgery to prevent functional and
neurological problems—are among the 10 most common malformations
in newborns. Center researchers study the genetic causes of these
and other anomalies. With an understanding of normal craniofacial
development as well as the processes by which genetic mutations
occur, scientists can develop better screening, treatment and prevention
strategies. Hopkins experts approach the challenge of uncovering
the basic nature of craniofacial development and mutation from the
vantage of various academic disciplines, including:
| genetics |
surgical outcomes |
| epidemiology |
animal model systems |
| anatomy |
behavioral sciences |
| cell biology |
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The Center for Craniofacial Development and Disorders at Hopkins
has been named a national Comprehensive Oral Health Research Center
of Discovery by the National Institutes of Health. As such, the
Center collaborates with medical professionals from other institutions
including The Jackson Laboratory, University of Pittsburgh, University
of Maryland and Washington University, as well as international
colleagues from countries such as Argentina, China, the Czech Republic,
Denmark, Mexico and Singapore.
Providing Exceptional Care for Children
The Center for Craniofacial Development and Disorders offers an
interdisciplinary approach to diagnosis and treatment, which draws
on the expertise of more than 50 specialists in many areas, including:
| developmental pediatricians |
plastic surgeons |
| geneticists |
neurosurgeons |
| ophthalmologists |
neuroradiologists |
| audiologists |
anesthesiologists |
| speech pathologists |
psychiatrists |
| ear, nose and throat specialists |
psychologists |
| dentists |
social workers |
| orthodontists |
nurses |
All patients benefit from an individualized approach that focuses
on early intervention, the most appropriate treatment and thorough
follow-up care. Patients are given compassionate care backed by
state-of-the-art diagnostic techniques including computer visualization
and genetic evaluation, and by the medical expertise of Johns Hopkins
Medicine. The Center’s specialists emphasize communication with
patients, attending to both the physical and emotional needs of
patients and their families. Close communication with referring
physicians enables the doctor to follow his or her patient during
and after care at Hopkins.
At the Johns Hopkins Center for Craniofacial Development and Disorders,
young patients are seen by a team of caregivers who work with referring
physicians to provide seamless, coordinated care for disorders such
as:
| cleft lip and cleft palate |
Fetal Alcohol syndrome |
| craniosynostosis |
Moebius syndrome |
| hemifacial microsomia |
Pierre-Robin sequence |
| Apert syndrome |
Saethre-Chotzen syndrome |
| Crouzon syndrome |
Treacher Collins syndrome |
Members
of the Center for Craniofacial Development and Disorders when it
was founded in 1994.
Click on the links to learn more about: Oral
Clefting or Craniosynostosis
How to reach us
To schedule an appointment or obtain further information about
the above-listed disorders — including educational materials,
opportunities to participate in ongoing research, and treatment
options — call the Johns Hopkins Center
for Craniofacial Development and Disorders at (410) 955-4160.
Or visit our Center's Web Site at http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/craniofacial.
Last Updated:
6/10/02
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