From community outreach and health education to diagnostic testing and nutritional support, children and families are fully prepared for surgical care. It’s what you make possible when you support St George Children’s Medical Trust.
Cleft lip is a congenital condition characterized by an opening or split on the upper lip. There are two kinds of cleft lip: unilateral, when an opening or split occurs on only one side of the mouth, and bilateral, when the opening or separation occurs on both sides.
Bowed legs is a condition characterized by legs that bend outwards around or below the knees, even when the ankles are together. It occurs when the growth plate near the inside of the knee slows down or stops making new bone while the growth plate near the outside continues to grow normally, giving a bowed appearance to the legs.
Broken bones are relatively common worldwide, but access to comprehensive medical care is not. In countries where CURE serves, access to surgical care is limited, and the child may not receive the care they need. In some situations, children don’t receive treatment for their broken bones until years after the initial break or don’t receive treatment at all.
Windswept legs is a combination of bowed legs and knock knees (genu valgum); a knee on one leg tilts inward while the other bows outward. Windswept legs occurs when the growth plates near the knees slow down or stop making new bone while the growth plate near the other knee continues to grow normally, giving a “windswept” appearance to the legs.
Clubfoot is a congenital condition where one or both feet curve inward—affecting the bones, muscles, tendons, and blood vessels. The feet point down and inward, with the soles of the feet facing sideways. Those affected by clubfoot have difficulty walking and face significant stigmatization that can prevent access to education and later employment. In later childhood, they can develop skin breakdown, pain, and eventual arthritis.
Encephalocele is a congenital deformation of the brain and spinal cord during pregnancy, where the spinal cord doesn’t properly close. This results in a large sac of brain tissue and spinal fluid protruding from an infant’s head, exposing and making vulnerable crucial parts of the nervous system.
While the exact cause of encephalocele is unknown, researchers have determined it is most likely a combination of genetics and environmental exposures before or during pregnancy. On rare occasions, non-congenital encephalocele may result from trauma, tumors, or injuries sustained during previous surgeries or treatments.