Nobody is happy when a child is sick; on some level, the parents may suffer just as much as the child in cases like these. However, in most scenarios involving things like congenital abnormalities or infections, there are options. What?s most important ? whether your child was born with an abnormality or developed one as they grew ? is that you find a good, caring doctor. In some cases, procedures are done to save a child?s life. In many others, they?re done to make a child?s life a little bit easier. Thankfully, there are plenty of doctors up to task. You simply need to find the right one for your child?s specific needs.

Congenital Abnormalities Of The Ear

Although five out of six children are expected to have had at least one ear infection by their third birthdays, it?s actually congenital abnormalities of the ear that are to blame for hearing loss among 50 to 60% of kids with hearing loss. One of the abnormalities that causes them is Aura Astresia. One of the most common congenital abnormalities of the ear, it causes the ear canal to fail to form, meaning that there?s no opening from the outside of the ear to hearing bones. 80% of cases see this abnormality present on only one side.

Adenoiditis And Adenoid Hypertrophy

Once, it was very common to have tonsillectomies done to prevent recurrent sinus infections ? by 90%, in fact. These days, only about 20% are done for infections, and 80% for obstructive sleep problems. Although some parents balk at the idea of surgery to solve a sleep issue, the problems caused by tonsil and adenoid defects in children can disrupt their sleep to the point of more serious issues developing down the road. Specifically, 1 to 3% of children develop not only snoring, but Sleep Disordered Breathing without tonsillectomies, which is more serious indeed.

Cleft Palate Repair

According to the CDC, about 2,650 American babies are born with a cleft palate, and 4,440 babies are born with or without a cleft palate. The issues associated with a cleft lip or cleft palate range from largely cosmetic to serious, but it?s almost always recommended that corrective surgery follows quickly after diagnosis. In fact, surgery for a cleft lip is usually done within the first few months of life, and should happen within a child?s first 12 months. Corrective surgery for a cleft palate, on the other hand, is recommended within the first 18 months; however, it should be done earlier if possible.

Nobody wants to deal with these kinds of problems, of course. But as a parent, you need to be as prepared as possible. Know that while this might seem difficult right now, with the right doctors involved, your child will be happy and playing before you know it.