Cleft palate is one of the most common birth defects in
children. In the United States, 1 out of every 1500 is affected with this disability
and it occurs when the baby’s mouth does not form properly. Specifically, the roof
of the child’s mouth does not join correctly and both the front and back parts
of the palate are open. This opening can cause problems with speaking, chewing
and possibly hearing which can also lead to social problems as the
child gets older. Understanding this disability better is a way for scientists
to help the prevention of this disease from affecting others. Researchers at
the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine have discovered the genetic mutation
in the dog breed, Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers , that is responsible for one
kind of cleft palate. This is an interesting and breakthrough discovery because
these dogs can be studied and used to better understand the causes of this
disease. By studying these dogs, researchers have found a similarity that affect
humans who are prone to developing cleft palate; a shortened lower jaw. This
resembles people who suffer from Pierre Robin Sequence. Pierre Robin Sequence
is a birth condition that involves the lower jaw being either small in size or
set back from the upper jaw. This is usually accompanied by cleft palate in
infants. The multiple genetic causes of this disease can be focused on in these dogs
and will hopefully provide some insight to other genes that cause this defect
in humans.
Have been exposed to the "Operation Smile" campaign which is basically a foundation solely to give children with facial deformities, such as cleft palates, the medical attention they need (i.e surgeries, etc). By studying these dogs, hopefully people can find better ways in preventing such deformities from occurring in children.
ReplyDeleteThis is really cool! I did not know that these dogs have the same mutation. Even though it only affects 1 out of 1500 kids, this discovery will be great to hopefully find ways to stop the mutation from happening. I know a little boy that had a cleft palette and he had surgery because speech was impaired.
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