3/17/23 Quan Ba Clinic

As we move north higher in the Ha Giang mountains we encountered even more children impacted by burn accidents.   

But I would like to focus on a question that several people have asked about the incidence of cleft lip and cleft palate.   What causes it and is it more common here in Vietnam?

Cleft lip and cleft palate are thought to be caused by a combination of genes and other factors, such as things the mother comes in contact with in her environment, or what the mother eats or drinks, or certain medications she uses during pregnancy.   Cleft lip and palate is a congenital defect and is most common in the Asian population, Japan and China descendants impacted the most.  Other factors include diet and deficiency in folic acid,  as mentioned before most pregnant woman lack good prenatal care and use of prenatal vitamins.  

Cleft lip and cleft palate deformities resulting from failure of the facial processes to grow or fuse appropriately during early embryologic development (forth through 12 weeks of gestation). While 1 of 800 children in the United States is born with a cleft lip or palate, developing countries like Vietnam demonstrate a higher rate estimating 1 in every 500 to 600 births.

Click: READ MORE for photos and google photo link.  

Google photo link: https://photos.app.goo.gl/bHFzTJFqr39i5mUT9













Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Hit the ground running. Lang Song Screening 2024

Image
  Hi Team, It’s been a busy first week in  Vietnam  🇻🇳.    After a 20 hour flight from SFO ✈️ I was picked up from the airport at 12:00 noon.  After a  2 hour drive to Lang Son Province I was greeted with applause from approximately 60 families waiting to have their child evaluated. From the large group of children we were presented with a special angel Duyen.  Duyen was in the clinic for her follow up visit.   She had a Cleft Lip repair last year at the age of 3 months.    Below are photos of Duyen before her operation and this week during her follow up visit.  The most amazing results I have ever seen that will change her life forever.   It’s transformations like this that make me so proud of the work WE are doing.  For more photos click the Google Photos link :  https://photos.app.goo.gl/XTcvPLr2Bkjom2kr8
Read more

Bac Kan Province Screening- 2024

Image
  Bac Kan Province is the poorest province in Vietnam.  It is also home to only 300,000 residents of which 89% are minorities.   The region is mountainous with beautiful lakes and rivers. This is a new province for us so each day we started our day with training  of local healthcare professionals on the types of patients and conditions we can help with.   Through out the year they will help identify patient in their local communities and refer them to our program. It takes a village, the success of the program is based on your financial support as well as the hundreds of local community partners who interface with the patients in their communities. Memorable moment from the our Bac Kan visit I will call showing up in your Sunday best.  This young boy came to clinic dressed for success from head to toe.  This is a big day for these families.   One lesson I have learned in Vietnam is: “I have been to the poorest parts of Vietnam but I have never mee...
Read more

Yen Bai Province Surgery Week 2024

Image
  Hi Team, Just completed a very productive surgery week in Yen Bai Province. Yen Bai province is about 3 hours north of the capital Hanoi.  Forestry and farming are the dominant industries in Yen Bai.   I was very impressed with the Provincial Hospital where we performed our surgeries.   The facility was built 10 years ago with cooperation from South Korea.  The facility was very modern and our specialist from Hanoi commented that it was much nicer than the National Hospitals in Hanoi.   There are several provinces in Vietnam that have hospitals sponsored or built by the South Korean Government.   Our week was kicked off with a welcome party hosted by the hospital for the patients which included live entertainment, games, treats and gift bags provided by our donors VSUN and Van Meter as part of the " Rebuilding the Smile " program.   The children and parents loved it.  Great way to welcome everyone.  During the we...
Read more