The CLEFT Student Section: Engaging the future of cleft through fundraising; Structure of the section and results from inaugural year.

BACKGROUND: There is a disparity in access, quality, and sustainability of cleft care in low and middle income countries, where burden of disease is greatest. CLEFT-Bridging the Gap (registered charity number: 1194581) is a UK-based charity that aims is to solve this through teaching, empowerment and development of sustainable cleft services. A Student Section, composed of medical, dental and speech and language therapy students, was established to support these endeavours through fundraising. AIMS: 1) examine effectiveness of the Student Section, 2) explore students' perception of cleft care, 3) provide a framework for similar groups. METHODS: Cross-sectional survey study design. Likert-Scale responses to questions regarding organisation and experience of the section were collected. Data was analysed using Chi statistical test, ordinal data assessed using Wilcoxon-Signed Rank test. RESULTS: 40/64 ambassadors responded to the survey. 90% had a positive perception on the organisation of the section, this correlated with group size (p = 0.012) and number of fundraising events organised (p = 0.032). 85% had an overall positive experience, scores for consideration of a career in cleft significantly improved from 2.25 (95%CI: 1.95-2.55) to 3.30 (95%CI: 3.03-3.57) (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: This study presents the first example of a nationwide student group involved with a charitable cleft organisation.

Autism spectrum disorder in a child with megalencephaly-capillary malformation-polymicrogyria syndrome (MCAP).

Megalencephaly-capillary malformation-polymicrogyria syndrome (MCAP) is a rare disorder that arises as a result of a somatic mosaic mutation in the PIK3CA gene. It characteristically presents with postnatal or congenital megalencephaly, cutaneous capillary malformations, postaxial polydactyly and often segmental or focal body overgrowth. We report a 7-year-old boy with known MCAP who was diagnosed at around 10 months old with a mosaic change in the PIK3CA gene. He was found to have hall-mark clinical signs; macrocephaly and four-limb postaxial polydactyly. Since diagnosis, he has had multiple clinical features, most of which typically present in children with MCAP. He has now been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), demand avoidance and is under assessment for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Although some cases have been raised to the M-CM Network, to our knowledge this is the first case of ASD in MCAP to be reported in the literature.

The Latest Treatment Interventions Improving Mental Health Outcomes for Women, Following Gender-Based Violence in Low-and-Middle-Income Countries: A Mini Review.

Gender-based violence (GBV), specifically violence against women, is a worldwide pandemic. Prevalence is further escalated in low-and-middle-income countries and in humanitarian crises. Survivors are left with a combination of post-traumatic stress disorder, depression and anxiety. These mental health disorders lead to further morbidity and mortality. Despite its high prevalence and co-morbidities, gender disparities and mental health stigma globally lead to few interventions developed for this population. The aim of this review is to highlight the mental health interventions developed in the past 5 years, for women following GBV in low-and-middle-income countries. It aims to discuss their efficacy and controversies when implemented into healthcare systems, understand the gaps that remain in the field and suggest future research developments. A thorough literature search revealed 16 new interventions available for improving mental health outcomes for women following GBV in low-and-middle-income countries. Following an in-depth evaluation of the papers, one intervention was successful in effectively implementing treatment into healthcare systems-"PM+." However, it proved only to be effective in the short term. Further research must be done for improving long-term mental health outcomes. Results demonstrated poor follow-up for women engaging in group therapy. The review also highlights community workers were used in service delivery to reduce barriers accessing care. No interventions proved effective in humanitarian crises, despite GBV escalated in these settings. There are very few interventions available in comparison to the prevalence of this global health issue. Therefore, this review encourages further research and improvements in mental healthcare interventions following GBV.