-
What is cleft lip and palate?
- Why are we studying
cleft lip and palate?
- What is the
cleft lip and palate study?
- Who can enroll in the
cleft lip and palate study?
- How do I join the
cleft lip and palate
study?
-
Does
participation require any travel?
- Why do we need this
information?
-
How
can I get more information about the cleft lip and palate study?
Cleft lip and palate is an abnormality that occurs when the face is forming. Parts
of the face are unable to fuse leaving an open space. This can occur
on both sides of the face (bilateral cleft lip and palate) or on one side (unilateral
cleft lip and palate).
Males are affected twice as often as females. Cleft lip and palate occurs
in one out of 1,000 births and is a common birth problem. About 4,000
babies are born with isolated cleft lip and palate in the United States each year.
We are studying cleft lip and palate because it is a common birth defect
with a
significant health care burden. Children require multiple surgeries to
correct the lip, palate, and nose. The causes of cleft lip and palate are not known but
genes and environmental factors are considered to be important.
Identification of the causes may allow development of new treatments and/or
identification of individuals who are at risk to have children with cleft
lip and palate.
The purpose of this research study is to identify the genes and
environmental factors causing isolated cleft lip and palate. We are collecting
information about pregnancy specific exposures and obtaining blood samples
from which DNA (genetic material) will be made. We will use the DNA to determine whether
specific genes are associated with cleft lip and palate. We will also correlate whether
specific types of exposures are linked to cleft lip and palate.
Individuals born with cleft lip and
palate, their parents, and other family members.
We are particularly interested in families in which there is more than one
family member with cleft lip and palate.
Individuals and families who join the
cleft lip and palate study will:
Permission to contact additional relatives may also be requested
especially if there is a family history of cleft lip and palate. All information is kept
strictly confidential. Participation is voluntary and you can withdraw
from the study at any time. This study has been approved by the
Institutional Review Board of the University of Texas Health and Science
Center - Houston.
No. The questionnaire can be completed by telephone or mail, and the
blood samples can be sent by mail. There are also no costs associated
with joining the cleft lip and palate study.
Previous studies suggest that cleft lip
and palate is caused by a combination of genetic
and environmental risk factors. However, very little is actually known
about the specific causes of cleft lip and palate. The information obtained from the study
may provide important clues.
To learn more about the cleft lip
and palate study and how to take part in the search for
the causes of cleft lip and palate, please contact:
Elena Serna
Project Coordinator
Tel: (713) 500 - 5785
email:
Maria.E.Serna@uth.tmc.edu
The University of Texas
Health and Science Center at Houston
Medical School
6431 Fannin Street, Room 3.308
Houston, Texas 77030
Jacqueline T. Hecht,
PhD
Professor, Department of Pediatrics
Division of Medical Genetics
email:
Jacqueline.T.Hecht@uth.tmc.edu
The University of Texas
Health and Science Center at Houston
Medical School
6431 Fannin Street, Room 3.136
Houston, Texas 77030
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