A newborn with esophageal atresia and a large, asymmetric mouth

Orofacial clefts are the commonest craniofacial birth defects. Whereas cleft lip and cleft palate are well-known congenital malformations transverse facial cleft (macrostomia) is rare and therefore receives less attention. The degree of severity of transverse facial clefts is varying from a hardly noticeable widening of the mouth, to a cleft extending to the ear. Transverse facial clefts may occur bilateral and are often associated with developmental anomalies of the first and second branchial arch.
Source: International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology Extra - Category: ENT & OMF Authors: Tags: CaseReport Source Type: research