Assembly Resolution No. 971
BY: M. of A. Rules (Simon)
MEMORIALIZING Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim
July 2020, as Cleft and Craniofacial Awareness and
Prevention Month in the State of New York
WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize
official months that are set aside to increase awareness of serious
health conditions that affect the lives of citizens of New York State;
and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim July 2020, as Cleft and
Craniofacial Awareness and Prevention Month in the State of New York, in
conjunction with the observance of National Cleft and Craniofacial
Awareness and Prevention Month; and
WHEREAS, National Cleft and Craniofacial Awareness and Prevention
Month was established by AmeriFace and cleftAdvocate; and
WHEREAS, Cleft and craniofacial conditions affect thousands of
infants, children, teens and adults in the United States each year; some
are born with congenital anomalies like cleft lip and palate, others
with more complex, life-threatening craniofacial conditions; some are
burned; others are injured in accidents and animal attacks or diagnosed
with various oral/head/neck and skin diseases; and
WHEREAS, Every year in the United States, approximately 7,000 babies
(or 1 out of every 600) are born with a cleft lip and/or a cleft palate;
these are two of the most common birth defects found in the United
States; and
WHEREAS, A cleft lip occurs when the lip does not completely form,
leaving an opening in the lip; the opening can range from a small notch
to a large opening from the lip up through the nose; and
WHEREAS, A cleft palate occurs when the roof of the mouth (palate)
does not completely close, leaving an opening that can extend into the
nasal cavity; cleft lip and cleft palate may occur together or on their
own; and
WHEREAS, The causes of orofacial clefts are unknown; genetics may
play a factor in some cases as well as exposure to certain risk factors
that arise during a woman's pregnancy; prenatal factors known to
increase the chance of having an orofacial cleft include: smoking,
diabetes, or the use of certain medications such as anti-epileptic
medications like topiramate or valproic acid; and
WHEREAS, Children with orofacial clefts often have an impaired
ability to feed and an impaired language development; babies need
special bottles and nipples to feed successfully, as well as feeding in
an upright position; and
WHEREAS, Surgery to repair these clefts usually occurs within the
first 12-18 months of life; surgical repair is not just to improve the
appearance of the child's face but may also improve breathing, hearing,
and speech and language development; and
WHEREAS, Children may also need other types of treatment such as
special dental and orthodontic care or speech therapy; with proper
treatment, most children with orofacial clefts continue to experience
healthy lives; and
WHEREAS, While they are the most common, cleft lip and cleft palate
are only two of many craniofacial birth defects; these defects may occur
alone or in combination as part of a craniofacial syndrome; some other
anomalies include: craniosynostosis- the skull of an infant fuses too
early, causing problems with brain and skull growth; anotia/microtia-
the external ear is missing or small and not formed properly;
anophthalmia/microphthalmia- one or both eyes are missing or small and
not fully developed; hemifacial microsomia- the tissues on one side of
the face are underdeveloped; micrognathia- the jaw is undersized; and
positional plagiocephaly- the head is misshapen and asymmetrical; and
WHEREAS, It is imperative that there be greater awareness of this
serious health condition, and more must be done to increase activity at
the local, State and National levels; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim July 2020, as Cleft and
Craniofacial Awareness and Prevention Month in the State of New York, in
conjunction with the observance of National Cleft and Craniofacial
Awareness and Prevention Month; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the State of
New York.