Is Your Child Born With A Cleft Lip And / Or Cleft Palate? Here Is What You Need To Do!
Was your child born with cleft lip and/or cleft palate? Are you worried about what to do? You are not alone. Cleft lip/palate is the most common congenital defect among babies all over the world. Thankfully, almost every child undergoing the cosmetic surgery for the same makes full recovery with extremely minute or no scar at all.
Your baby’s lip and palate formation occur in the early stages of pregnancy itself. Cleft lip is the medical condition in which the upper lip is underdeveloped. Similarly, cleft palate is the counterpart condition, in which the upper root of the mouth is underdeveloped. These conditions each can arise, either as unilateral (only in one side) or bilateral (in both sides). Each of these complications can either be incomplete (the cavity does not elongate to the nose) or complete (the cavity elongates to the nose).
A child might have either of these conditions or both at the time of birth. Both these conditions lead to the formation of cavities of the facial structure that causes hindrance to the functionality of the organ and the overall aesthetic of the person. These conditions collectively lead to air leakage into the nasal cavity and as a result causes nasal spilling and nasal voice during talking. If left untreated, the child might develop speech disorders along with difficulty in breathing, eating and even hearing.
The cosmetic surgeries, namely the cleft lip repair and cleft palate repair these conditions along with its associated complications as well. Through these surgeries, a flap of skins are placed and secured on the site and with time, it entirely coagulates to restore its normal appearance and function. It is mostly recommended for the child at a very early age, between 2 to 12 months after the birth. In high-risk cases, the doctor waits until the baby grows up a little to recommend surgical corrections.
A surgery availed at an early age shows maximum benefits in the recovery from cleft defects. It not only ensures timely growth but also bears no sign of this surgery when the child reaches the age of 7-8 years. Moreover, it ensures your child does not suffer psychological trauma from being ‘different than others’ or face discrimination.
In case, your baby is born with any/both of these cleft defects, get in touch without paediatric surgeons and help your baby live the life you gave to her, to its fullest.
Read more – Some of the Major Kinds of Cosmetic Surgeries.
3 Common Behavioural Disorders in Children and Their Treatment
Does your child answer back rudely every time you say something? Does s/he back-talks to you even in public? If your answer to both the questions is “Yes”, then there is a high chance that your child is suffering from a behavioural disorder. So what exactly is this behavioural disorder? Well, it’s common for children to argue, yell and throw tantrums once in a while. However, if such behaviour becomes a regular occurrence, then it is surely a cause for concern. To help you understand it better, here are the three most common disruptive behavioural disorders discussed in detail. Read on.
1. Conduct Disorder (CD)
Children with this disorder are often judged as “bad kids”, as they refuse to accept rules and their behaviour is offensive. About 5% of 10 years old children are thought to have Conduct Disorder (CD).
Some common traits of a child with CD include –
- Repeated truancy
- Always eager to start physical fights
- Frequent refusal to obey parents and other authority figures
- Making use of weapons in physical fights
- Lack of empathy for others
- Frequent lying
In rare cases, the children also exhibit violent and criminal behavior such as lighting fire, stealing or engaging in drugs, alcohol, and smoking.
2. Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD)
Under the age of 12 years, around 1 in every 10 children are thought to have the Oppositional Defiant Disorder.
Some common traits of a child with ODD include –
- Frequent temper tantrums
- Very low self-esteem
- Easily annoyed, angered or irritated
- Does not obey rules
- Frequent argument with adults such as parents
- Tends to blame others for any misdeeds or misfortunes
- Deliberately tries to annoy others
3. Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
About 2% to 5% of children are thought to have Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.
Some common traits of a child with ADHD include –
- Constant restlessness
- Prone to accidents
- Loses temper quickly
- Forgetfulness
- Faces difficulties in concentrating
- Moves from one task to another without completing any of them
Treatment of Behavioural Disorders in Children
Do you want your child to grow up to be a dysfunctional adult? We know you don’t. So to prevent this from happening, the earlier the intervention, the better the outcome is going to be. Treatment is generally multifaceted. Actually, it depends on the particular disorder along with the factors contributing to it. It may include –
1. Family therapy
The whole family is taught to improve their problem-solving as well as communication skills.
2. Encouragement
Children with behavioural disorders tend to experience repeated failures both in their interaction with others and at school. Encouraging them to excel in the fields of their interests can help in building their self-esteem.
3. Social training
Important social skills are taught to the child including how to play cooperatively and how to have a conversation with others.
4. Anger management
The child learns how to recognise the signs of their increasing frustration. They are provided with a range of coping skills that are specially designed to defuse their aggressive behaviour and anger. Also, they are taught how to manage their stress and how to relax.
5. Parental education
Parents are taught how to communicate as well as manage their children.
6. Medication
Last but not the least, children are treated with medication in order to control impulsive behaviour.
Is your child suffering from any of these behavioural disorders? Consult a doctor and start treatment before it’s too late. At ILS Hospitals, we have the best child specialists available at your service. All you have to do is give us a call and we will be happy to help.