In another highly significant achievement in the healthcare sector, Sidra Medicine has performed a life-saving procedure on a baby born with an undersized jaw, a genetic craniofacial condition known as Micrognathia.

According to Sidra Medicine, this condition affects one in 8,000 babies every year.

Children born with Micrognathia can experience different complications including difficulty in breathing and feeding. The condition can also lead to impaired cognitive development, as the child grows older.

Due to the critical nature of the condition, early treatment is of paramount importance.

A few months ago, Baby D, a Qatari girl, was born with a very small lower jaw and a deviated septum.

The baby was taken to Sidra Medicine where she was treated under a multi-disciplinary approach, which involves leading experts and top-class services provided to children with complex medical needs.

“Our MDT clinic determined a treatment plan for Baby D starting with non-invasive procedures and then considering surgical interventions as a second step. This was done to ensure she received the best care possible to help with her long-term quality of life,” said Dr Faisal Abdulkader, division chief of Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) and Otolaryngology at Sidra Medicine.

He explained that the first course of action was to dilate Baby D’s nose and insert a stent to keep it open.

“We then performed a tongue-lip adhesion procedure to move the tongue-base forward in order to clear the airway,” he said.

However, post-procedural assessments indicated that Baby D was still finding it hard to breathe properly. She needed to undergo a tracheostomy.

Her tongue-lip adhesion was reopened and a trach was placed in her neck, to bypass the airway obstruction caused by her small jaw and prolapsing tongue.

“We didn’t want Baby D to become dependent on the trach for too long. Given her age and the complications, there was a risk of infection and a two (2) percent chance of mortality,” Dr Abdulkader mentioned.

At three months, Baby D underwent a Mandibular Distraction Osteogenesis (MDO), a surgical procedure to make the lower jaw larger by slowly lengthening the jawbones.

After two weeks of this procedure, Baby D’s tracheostomy was removed and she was able to go return home.

The Sidra Medicine team that oversaw baby D’s treatment for five months comprised a highly-qualified team of ENT and craniofacial surgeons, neonatal and pediatric ICU specialists and nurses, as well as allied health and child life professionals.

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Source: Sidra Medicine