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At UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, our Cleft-Craniofacial Center's specialists are trained to address all aspects of a patient's diagnosis, treatment, and recovery.
Management of cleft-craniofacial conditions includes a variety of health care professionals because the skills of many different specialties are needed to help treat all areas of need in cleft and craniofacial patients.
To make an appointment or learn more about our program, call us at 412-692-8650.
Ellen Brown Mitchell, MD
Matthew D. Ford, MS, CCC-SLP
Regina Fenton, CRNP
Chelsea Haywiser, PA-C Megan Natali, PA-C Olivia Anne Rafalowski, PA-C
Learn more about the Department of Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology.
Hearing specialists evaluate hearing. They also work closely with the otolaryngologist (ear, nose, and throat specialist or ENT) to manage hearing problems and middle ear disease associated with craniofacial conditions.
When a hearing loss is not medically correctable, the audiologist can consult on the use of hearing aids or other assistive listening devices with an auditory intervention program geared to the child's needs.
Clinical and pediatric nurses
Clinical nurses and pediatric nurse practitioners (PNPs) monitor each child's growth and development. They assist the doctors in all aspects of care. PNPs and nurses manage continuity of care through pre-operative teaching, inpatient management, and post-operative follow-up.
Craniofacial orthodontists
Our Cleft Craniofacial Center team includes an orthodontist with specialized training and certification in craniofacial orthodontic care. They assist in the care of infants with cleft lip and palate by employing a specialized non-surgical method to reduce the severity of cleft lip and nose deformities prior to surgical intervention to improve overall outcomes from surgery. Infants born with ear deformities can also receive a non-surgical ear molding procedure to improve the shape and appearance of a deformed ear. Our orthodontists also work with the surgical team to prepare children for surgical procedures for their gums and jaws that are necessary in some cleft and craniofacial patients. Traditional orthodontic care is also provided to achieve the best smile possible.
Learn more about the Division of Pediatric Dentistry
Pediatric dentists address the dental challenges exhibited by many craniofacial patients. They oversee pre-and post-operative diagnosis and treatment needs as well as general dental care.
Learn more about geneticists and genetic counselors
Clinical geneticists review the medical history, examine the patient, and order special tests to assist in determining appropriate diagnosis of patients with cleft and craniofacial conditions. Genetic counselors review family history and counsel patients and families about the details of a genetic diagnosis and what it means for the child as they grow and develop. They also can provide information regarding the risk of recurrence in future pregnancies.
Learn more about Pediatric Neurosugery
Pediatric neurosurgeons diagnose and treat children with neurological conditions related to craniofacial anomalies. The craniofacial surgeon coordinates diagnosis and treatment to allow for the appropriate timing of craniofacial procedures. Our neurosurgeons will work with our craniofacial surgeons when providing craniofacial procedures involving the skull. This allows us to optimize development and neurological functions.
Learn more about the Division of Pediatric Ophthalmology
These doctors, who specialize in the structures, functionality, and diseases of the eye, evaluate and help plan treatment of eye problems in coordination with other procedures. They also provide specialized surgical procedures that are sometimes necessary in children with cleft and craniofacial conditions.
Oral and maxillofacial surgeons
Oral and maxillofacial surgeons are specially trained to correct the soft tissue and bone of cleft-craniofacial abnormalities from infancy through adulthood. They carefully plan surgery with the team to optimize function as well as the appearance of the face, skull, jaws, and smile.
Learn more about the Division of Otolaryngology (Ear, nose, and throat)
ENT surgeons who specialize in the care of children with cleft and craniofacial anomalies evaluate and provide treatment for:
They work closely with other members of the cleft-craniofacial team to help treat the patient's sleep, hearing, speech, and swallowing problems.
Learn more about the Division of Pediatric Plastic Surgery
Plastic surgeons specialize in correcting the soft tissue and bony deformities of cleft and craniofacial anomalies. These procedures optimize anatomical function and appearance. Surgeries are timed during growth and development to achieve desired outcomes and normal development. Plastic surgeons frequently perform craniofacial procedures with pediatric neurosurgeons.
Prosthodontists
The team's prosthodontists work closely with the patient's surgeon, orthodontist, and dental specialists pre-and post-operatively. Together, the team plans for and provides necessary prosthetic habilitation when surgery alone cannot correct anatomical abnormalities. They also coordinate the production of prosthetic speech aids with the Center's speech pathologist.
Learn more about the Behavioral Science Division
Psychologists assess the patient's developmental progress and psychosocial adjustment, including behavioral and emotional functioning.
They assist the family by identifying resources for developmental and therapeutic intervention. Psychologists also provide the family with suggestions and interventions for immediate developmental and behavioral issues.
Learn more about the Pediatric Radiology Department
Radiologists work closely with surgeons, physicians, and other professionals treating your child. They perform and interpret many different radiographic procedures that are necessary for the diagnosis and comprehensive treatment of children with cleft and craniofacial conditions.
Learn more about the Clinical Social Work Department
Social workers provide guidance and counseling for patients and families as they deal with the social and emotional aspects of a facial difference. They can provide support to deal with the stresses of surgical and medical procedures and assist in locating community resources and group supports.
Learn more about the Department of Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology
Speech and language specialists evaluate the development of speech and swallowing.
They provide input to the team to help assist in the timing of surgical, orthodontic, and therapeutic treatments to encourage normal speech, language, and feeding development.
They serve as the feeding and swallowing specialists to assist parents of children with feeding difficulties that are secondary to their craniofacial conditions. Our team's speech pathologists are trained to have expertise in the evaluation of structurally related speech and swallowing disorders.
Children's Hospital's main campus is located in the Lawrenceville neighborhood. Our main hospital address is:
UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh One Children’s Hospital Way 4401 Penn Ave. Pittsburgh, PA 15224
In addition to the main hospital, Children's has many convenient locations in other neighborhoods throughout the greater Pittsburgh region.
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