About the Craniofacial Program
Craniofacial Program patient, Danny, with his dad.
The Craniofacial Program Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) provides comprehensive, coordinated, family-centered care to patients with complex craniofacial conditions from time of diagnosis through surgery and long-term care. Our care is individualized to each patient’s specific needs, taking into account the patient’s age and stage of development. Over the last 5 years, we have treated 9,190 patients with craniofacial conditions during 16,909 visits.
We treat children from birth throughout their teenage years. When a child is prenatally diagnosed with a craniofacial defect we work together with the Center for Fetal Diagnosis and Treatment and the Garbose Family Special Delivery Unit within CHOP to monitor the pregnancy and help the family plan for the arrival of their baby and postnatal treatment options.
Babies born with congenital malformations of the skull and face have access to our specialized Neonatal Craniofacial Program, an extension of the Craniofacial Program created in collaboration with the Division of Neonatology. This program is dedicated specifically to evaluating and caring for neonates with congenital craniofacial defects, including micrognathia and tongue-based airway obstruction, who also have related health issues that require specialized care by CHOP’s expert neonatologists.
The craniofacial team provides a high level of expertise in evaluating and treating children born with complex congenital anomalies of the skull and face. We also treat children whose craniofacial condition occurred as a result of trauma or craniofacial tumors.
How to Choose a Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Program: A Guide for Parents
If you are looking for a plastic and reconstructive surgery program to treat your child’s craniofacial difference — whether the issue is routine or rare — there are several factors to take into consideration. Learn more about the common questions.
Your child's appointment with the Craniofacial Program
Our multidisciplinary craniofacial team is made up of specialists dedicated to the care and evaluation of children with complex craniofacial conditions. Because these conditions impact many different facial areas and functions, specialists from a variety of disciplines are needed to address these complex needs. Our dedicated team of specialists includes pediatric plastic surgeons, neonatologists, advanced nurse practitioners, speech and language specialists, pediatricians, a growth specialist, psychologist and social worker.
After a thorough and comprehensive evaluation, an individualized treatment plan is formulated with input from each of the specialists to provide optimal coordinated care for your child.
