Orofacial Anomalies in Neonates: Diagnosis, Pathophysiology, and Multidisciplinary Management

Orofacial anomalies represent some of the most common congenital conditions encountered in neonatal and pediatric care, encompassing a broad spectrum of structural and functional abnormalities affecting the lips, palate, jaw, face, and associated craniofacial structures. These conditions—including cleft lip and palate, craniofacial syndromes, mandibular and maxillary anomalies, and other complex malformations—can have significant implications for feeding, breathing, speech development, hearing, growth, and psychosocial well-being from the earliest stages of life.Advances in prenatal imaging, neonatal diagnostics, surgical techniques, and multidisciplinary care have substantially improved outcomes for infants born with orofacial anomalies. Nevertheless, important challenges remain in understanding the underlying developmental and genetic mechanisms, optimizing early diagnosis and risk stratification, standardizing management pathways, and ensuring coordinated, family-centered care across specialties. Moreover, variability in access to specialized care and long-term follow-up continues to influence clinical outcomes worldwide.This Research Topic aims to provide a comprehensive overview of orofacial anomalies in neonates by integrating perspectives from clinical practice, basic and translational research, and multidisciplinary care models. The collection seeks to advance understanding of the pathophysiology and early-life impact of these conditions, highlight innovations in diagnostic and therapeutic approaches, and explore strategies that improve both short- and long-term outcomes for affected infants and their families.By fostering collaboration among pediatric surgeons, neonatologists, otolaryngologists, geneticists, speech and feeding specialists, orthodontists, and allied health professionals, this Research Topic aims to refine evidence-based practices and promote holistic, coordinated care for neonates with orofacial anomalies.We welcome original research articles, systematic reviews, narrative reviews, and clinical studies addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:• Etiology, embryology, and genetic underpinnings of orofacial anomalies• Prenatal and neonatal diagnostic approaches, including imaging and molecular diagnostics• Early feeding, airway, and nutritional challenges and management strategies• Surgical timing, techniques, and outcomes in neonatal and early infancy periods• Multidisciplinary and team-based care models for orofacial anomalies• Long-term developmental, speech, hearing, and psychosocial outcomes• Family-centered care, counseling, and support strategies• Global perspectives, disparities in care, and innovations in resource-limited settingsThis Research Topic aims to serve as a platform for advancing knowledge, encouraging multidisciplinary dialogue, and improving the standard of care for neonates affected by orofacial anomalies. Topic editors: Shruthi Kumar Bharadwaj, Ruth Tevlin, Sameer Shakir Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/78956/orofacial-anomalies-in-neonates-diagnosis-pathophysiology-and-multidisciplinary-management