Is the March of Dimes conducting research on oral-facial clefts?
March of Dimes grantees are investigating a number of different aspects of oral-facial clefts. In 2004, an international team including three March of Dimes grantees identified a gene variant that is a major contributor to oral-facial clefts and triples the risk of recurrence in affected families (2). March of Dimes grantees and other researchers continue to investigate genes that may play a role in causing oral-facial clefts to eventually develop ways to prevent them. Others are studying the possible role of folic acid in preventing oral-facial clefts. For more information American Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association/Cleft Palate Foundation 1504 East Franklin St., Suite 102 Chapel Hill, NC 27514 (919) 933-9044 Velocardiofacial Syndrome, U.S.
