Oral health knowledge, attitude and practice among parents of children with craniofacial syndromes

Parents play an important role in caring for their children's oral health, especially for those with craniofacial deformities. In this study, we analyzed the oral health knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) among parents of children of 1 to 16 years-of-age with craniofacial syndromes (CS) at Universiti Malaya Medical Center (UMMC), Malaysia. This was a case-controlled study conducted between March and December 2021 involving 30 parents of children with CS and 30 parents of normal children as controls. A modified validated KAP questionnaire was distributed to all parents. Statistical analysis was carried out using SPSS 26.0 and descriptive analysis was performed, with data expressed as mean, standard deviation, frequency and percentage (%). Most respondents from both groups were mothers (73.3%) between 31 to 40 years-of-age. Both groups of parents had similar levels of oral health knowledge; there was no significant difference between the two groups for 10 of the KAP questions (p > 0.05). However, there was a significant different between the two groups with regards to two 2 relating to the definition of plaque and its relationship to dental caries (p = 0.035 and p = 0.032, respectively). Some parents of CS children believed that primary teeth were not important (23.33%) and were not concerned if their children showed changes in tooth color (26.67%). Despite parental acknowledgement of ideal practice, both groups of children showed irregular dental attendance and reduced toothbrushing frequency. Parents of children with CS had a similar depth of oral health knowledge and a slightly reduced positive attitude when compared to parents in the control group. However, both groups of parents had poor knowledge relating to the transmission and causes of dental caries. Healthcare providers should increase their awareness strategies for parents to be more aware of the ways to improve their children's oral health.

Lipofilling of the lower eyelids: A craniofacial tool to postpone the facial advancement in craniofacial syndromes

PURPOSE

Many genetic diseases are responsible for a defect in the growth of the maxilla. Craniofacial syndromes such as Crouzon syndrome or Apert syndrome are typically associated with a major hypoplasia in the midface responsible for exophthalmos, leading to palpebral malocclusion and frequent corneal complications. Several treatments have been used to manage ocular protection in craniofacial syndromes such as tarsorrhaphy, a fronto-orbital advancement and/or a Lefort III osteotomy with or without distraction. We describe a new approach as a waiting solution to relieve exophthalmos: the autologous fat grafting of the lower eyelids.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Children operated from lipofilling of the lower eyelids at the Referral Center for craniosynostosis of Femme-Mère-Enfant Hospital in Lyon, were included. All the patients suffered from midface hypoplasia and exophthalmos with insufficient eyelid closure responsible of multiples episodes of keratitis and corneal ulcerations.

RESULTS

Four children were included: three suffered from Crouzon Syndrome and one suffered from Apert Syndrome. The fat was reinjected at the level of the infraorbital rim, the nasolabial fold or the palpebrojugal fold, in the different planes, according to the patients' needs. Six months after surgery, a second surgery was performed for the patients whose lagophtalmos persisted. Six months after the second procedure, the results are satisfactory with a good eyelid closure.

CONCLUSION

The lipofilling, well used in pediatric surgery to restore facial symmetry, can also be used, as a waiting solution or complement to treat complicated exophtalmos with visual prognosis involved in congenital craniofacial syndromes.

Freeman-Burian syndrome

Clinical description

Freeman-Burian syndrome (FBS) is a rare congenital myopathic craniofacial syndrome. Considerable variability in severity is seen, but diagnosis requires the following: microstomia, whistling-face appearance (pursed lips), H or V-shaped chin defect, and prominent nasolabial folds. Some patients do not have limb malformations, but essentially all do, typically camptodactyly with ulnar deviation of the hand and talipes equinovarus. Neuro-cognitive function is not impaired.

Epidemiology

Population prevalence of FBS is unknown.

Aetiology

Environmental and parental factors are not implicated in pathogenesis. Allelic variations in embryonic myosin heavy chain gene are associated with FBS. White fibrous tissue within histologically normal muscle fibres and complete replacement of muscle by fibrous tissue, which behaves like tendinous tissue, are observed.

Management

Optimal care seems best achieved through a combination of early craniofacial reconstructive surgery and intensive physiotherapy for most other problems. Much of the therapeutic focus is on the areas of fibrous tissue replacement, which are either operatively released or gradually stretched with physiotherapy to reduce contractures. Operative procedures and techniques that do not account for the unique problems of the muscle and fibrous tissue replacement have poor clinical and functional outcomes. Important implications exist to facilitate patients’ legitimate opportunity to meaningfully overcome functional limitations and become well.