Applying Trauma Informed Care in Multidisciplinary Cleft Practices: Defining Pediatric Cleft Trauma and Providing Actionable Recommendations

Abstract

Cleft lip and/or palate (CL/P) is a life-long condition that requires multidisciplinary care throughout childhood and beyond. Studies have examined the impact of CL/P on psychosocial outcomes including lower self-esteem, higher incidence of bullying, social isolation, and rejection. As a result, patients may be predisposed to experiencing mood disorders or trauma related to their facial difference. Moreover, access to dedicated cleft centers is limited in many areas in the United States. For children with a CL/P who present to the healthcare system, evaluating for trauma symptoms and incorporating trauma-informed care can support these patients’ psychosocial wellbeing during an impressionable developmental period.