WHO - Craniofacial abnormalities

When looking on the World Health Organisation website i came across an interesting article on the International collaborative research on craniofacial anomalies project, a project which is supported by WHO.

The Research project was established to create an international network for the purpose of encouraging research in this area under the four main categories:

-genetic basis of craniofacial anomalies
-hereditary and environmental interactions involved in craniofacial anomalies
-prevention of craniofacial anomalies
-optimal treatment of craniofacial anomalies

Currently, the research into craniofacial abnormalities has fallen into 3 interrelated spheres: etiology, prevention and treatment, however unfortunately research into this area become an independent study, rather than a coherent global strategy.

The project hopes to achieve several objectives among which include: The creation of an international network allowing the planning and development of an international collaboration of research into this area in particular prevention and treatment. As well as the creation of an international internet database enabling the public to access common data elements from global birth defect registries.

I believe this is important given that little forward progression has been made towards implementing strategies or viable interventions in area such as Europe, Asia and the US, suggest s that developing countries where this deformity is prevalent are in severe need of attention.

Technology has yet to intervene, creating confusion surrounding the management of common conditions. Many subgroups with CFA suffer as attaining homogeneous samples for randomised trials combined with follow up, is so far enabled due to a lack of multi site cooperation. Leaving developing countries in a unmanageable situation given their economic disadvantages, thus eliminating any possible rehabilitation or treatment.

If an international network is established, a standardisation of research and consensus into clincial trials and their performance will gradually develop, providing validity to possible preventions and treatments

Go on to the web link provide to access more info of current research into craniofacial abnormalities.
http://www.who.int/genomics/anomalies/cfaproject/en/