BY RUTH HILL R.N.
Before we leave the month of July Cannabis Corner (CC) wants to give a shout out to the many children who suffer from Cleft lip and other Craniofacial defects at birth. July is the Cleft and Craniofacial Awareness and Prevention Month. In the United States, approximately 2,600 babies are born each year with a cleft palate, while around 4,400 babies are born with a cleft lip, with or without a cleft palate. Additionally, other craniofacial birth defects may involve premature skull suture fusion, underdeveloped or missing ear, and abnormal small or missing eyes.
Nurse Sherri’s son, Nicholas, entered the world with a cleft lip, palate, and the rare genetic disorder Branchio-Oculo-Facial Syndrome (BOFS). His craniofacial anomalies necessitated surgical interventions for a better quality of life. For the initial five months, he resided between the NICU of his birth hospital and the Children’s Hospital. Children born with orofacial clefts and other craniofacial conditions face various quality-of-life challenges, such as: difficulty in feeding; delayed language development; increased susceptibility to eye, ear, and upper respiratory infections; elevated risk of hearing impairments; dental and oral hygiene issues.
Risk Factors
Many of these children with craniofacial anomalies also contend with additional genetic disorders that impact their quality of life. Raising awareness about National Cleft and Craniofacial issues is crucial due to the risk factors associated with cleft lip and palate development, such as family history, exposure to specific substances during pregnancy like cigarettes, alcohol, and certain medications, diabetes, and lastly maternal obesity during pregnancy. These risk factors play a crucial role in Endocannabinoid System Deficiency (ECS). ECS indicates a potential lack of internally produced cannabinoids, essential for maintaining our body’s equilibrium.
Los Angeles-based Dr. Bonnie Goldstein, a distinguished pediatrician, cannabis medicine expert, and the author of Cannabis is Medicine, highlights a significant concern for pregnant women and nursing mothers. She points out that the primary threat lies not in the substances themselves, but in the intervention of Child Protective Services. Dr. Goldstein emphasizes that the risk of family separation through child removal is the most critical issue. She advises mothers to prioritize self-protection by refraining from substance use until broader societal and medical transformations take place.
Branchio-Oculo-Facial Syndrome
Branchio-Oculo-Facial Syndrome (BOFS) clinical features encompass a plethora of anomalies requiring repeated surgeries throughout childhood. Skin anomalies, ocular irregularities, facial anomalies are just a few of birth defects experienced. Nick displayed a minor brachial skin defect on his right neck, fistulas under his eyes, excessive tearing, and eye infections. Nicholas’s nose was deformed requiring reconstruction. Other BOFS anomalies include malformed external ear, temporal bone anomalies, and moderate to severe bone conduction hearing loss, necessitating the use of hearing aids. Nick’s one surgery was twelve hours long involving a 3-surgeon team to correct his complex anomalies.
All of Nick’s treatments focused on rectifying defects and alleviating symptoms to enhance his quality of life. Introducing phytocannabinoids as a supplementary approach alongside conventional care could have significantly aided his journey to where he stands today. It is evident that Sherri, his mother, would have also found solace in low-dosed cannabis during those challenging times, given the emotional toll of witnessing her child endure such hardships since infancy.
Today, Nicholas is thriving. He is deaf, wears hearing aids, and at the age of 12 he is fully integrated into the public school system with accommodations. He earned his way onto the high school football team as captain of the team and played incredibly. He graduated from public high school this spring with honors, receiving a scholarship and an award for being Captain of the Football Team.
He is the epitome of what it means to truly live your best life and to never give up. Nicholas is a big part of the inspiration of Sherri’s Podcast The Green Nurse Living Your Best Life. Explore Sherri’s touching tribute to her son as she celebrates his graduation on her dedicated Facebook page.
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