Children's Craniofacial Services

Children born with craniofacial anomalies, deformities involving the growth of head and face bones, are not alone as they face the future. They have the support of the pediatric craniofacial specialists at Children's of Mississippi on their side.

• Learn more about the Morris Center for Cleft and Craniofacial Research and Innovation.

Children's of Mississippi's experts from 20-plus subspecialties come together to provide compassionate and comprehensive care for these young patients who often have multiple health problems related to their congenital differences, which can vary from mild to severe. More than 300 patients usually seek help from the pediatric craniofacial program each year with treatment needs ranging from minor to extremely complex.

Specialty areas include plastic surgery, neurosurgery, otolaryngology, ophthalmology, oral and maxillofacial surgery, dentistry, orthodontics, speech pathology, audiology, genetics, psychology, social work, pediatrics, nursing, radiology, anesthesiology, feeding therapy and nutrition.

A care coordinator works with the multidisciplinary team to ensure that patients (children, adolescents or young adults) receive all the necessary medical, physical and psychosocial attention they require. Surgery schedules are arranged to put the child under as little stress as possible.

Health care providers work toward common goals for each patient, including:

• Surgical repair of the defect
• Optimal speech, language, hearing, developmental and cognitive skills
• Proper dental alignment, occlusion and oral health
• Social and emotional health