At Riley Hospital for Children at Indiana University Health, we have a team of health care professionals skilled in treatment of clefts and craniofacial disorders. The pediatric specialists involved in your child's care will depend on your child's individual needs, and may include the following:
Audiologist: One who performs hearing tests and checks the eardrums
Dentist: The dentist who will make the prosthesis to bridge the gap in a cleft palate, if needed, and also answer questions about your child's teeth
Developmental Pediatrician: The pediatrician who assesses special feeding, nutrition, growth and developmental needs
Geneticist: One who screens patients for craniofacial syndromes and helps parents and adult patients understand the chances of having more children with these craniofacial conditions
Neuroradiologist: The doctor who interprets images of MRI's, CT scans and three-dimensional contour CT scans Neurosurgeon The doctor who specializes in the diagnosis and operative treatment of craniofacial abnormalities
Ophthamologist: The doctor who specializes in the diagnosis and management of the eye and its conditions
Oral/Maxillofacial Surgeon: The dentist who specializes in surgery of the teeth and jaws
Orthodontist: The specialists who straightens teeth, directs growth of the jaw with various appliances and helps to prepare the teeth for any necessary jaw surgery
Otolaryngologist: The doctor who puts in ear tubes and takes out tonsils and adenoids, if necessary
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner: The advanced practice nurse who provides pre- and post-op teaching, performs pre-operative history and physicals and assists during surgery
Pediatric Registered Nurse: The nurse who assists with newborn feeding issues, monitors overall growth and development and provides information about your childs upcoming surgery
Plastic Surgeon: The doctor who specializes in examining clefts and craniofacial anomalies and who will perform necessary surgeries for reconstruction
Primary Care Doctor: A doctor who provides regular care and immunizations
Psychologist: One who provides support for behavioral, educational or mental health issues
Pulmonologist: The doctor who specializes in breathing, airway problems and interprets the sleep study
Speech-Language Pathologist: One who specializes in speech and language and will check your child's speech
Social Worker: One who provides family support and is knowledgeable about financial assistance
Team Coordinator: One who facilitates communication between the medical team and the family
Team Approach Important
Children diagnosed with craniofacial anomalies face a variety of challenges as they grow and develop. The team approach ensures that your child's care is coordinated among all of the specialists involved. By providing an interdisciplinary approach to care, the Riley Hospital for Children Craniofacial Center at Indiana University Health team is able to thoroughly assess each child's needs, and continually re-evaluate those needs over time. Children often enter the program as infants, and continue evaluation and treatment through their teen years.