37 of the children at Hoi An Orphanage have disabilities

The main cause of their disability is cerebral palsy and the various conditions and difficulties associated with cerebral palsy.

In addition to cerebral palsy, the children suffer from a number of medical conditions/disabilities; these include cleft lip and cleft palates (cleft palettes), hydrocephalus and scoliosis. Two of the children have Down’s syndrome and another is Deaf-Blind.

The following is a summary of the principle disabilities and medical conditions experienced by the children at Hoi An Orphanage. Further information can be found by clicking the relevant links below, and then visiting our Useful Links page.

Agent Orange Dioxin Poisoning

We are unable to say for certain whether the children’s disabilities are due to Agent Orange poisoning. Other causes can be malnutrition and inadequate medical care. Please visit our Agent Orange page for more information.

Cerebral Palsy

What is it?

Cerebral palsy is a brain-related condition arising during pregnancy. The brain becomes damaged and this causes problems with the child’s posture, movement and coordination.

Cerebral palsy cannot be cured. However, it is not progressive (it does not get worse as the child develops). It can be managed through therapies such as physiotherapy and speech therapy.

How is it caused?

There are many contributing factors resulting in brain damage during pregnancy. Some possible causes of cerebral palsy include infections, poor oxygen supply and family genetic problem.

How many of the children at Hoi An Orphanage are affected?

As far as can be determined, 20 of the children suffer from cerebral palsy.

More Information

For more information, please visit our Cerebral Palsy Page.

Cleft Lips and Cleft Palates (Cleft Palettes)

What is it?

Cleft lips and cleft palates (also called cleft palettes) are birth defects; approximately one in every 600-700 children in the UK , and US, is born with a cleft lip and/or a cleft palate.

A cleft is a separation; in the case of a cleft palate, it usually forms before birth, during the early stages of pregnancy. The two most commonly experienced clefts are a cleft lip and a cleft palate.

A cleft lip is a gap, or separation, in the upper lip that sometimes extends to the nose. It results when both sides of the lip do not correctly join together. A cleft palate is a gap, or separation created when both sides of the palate (roof of the mouth) do not join together correctly.

How is it caused?

There are various causes of cleft lips and palates; these include poor diet, lack of vitamins, cigarette, alcohol and drug use, genetic disorders and environmental factors.

How many of the children at Hoi An Orphanage are affected?

Two of the Orphanage children were born with cleft palates. Three year old girl Minh Hien has a cleft palate; six year old boy Van Hien was born with a cleft lip and a cleft palate.

The Kianh Foundation arranged for both children to have cleft palate surgery in 2005 at the Franco-Viet Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City (Van Hien also had cleft lip surgery). Follow-up surgery was performed in Hue Hospital in June 2006. Having undergone surgery, both children will now require some form of speech therapy to assist their development.

Down's Syndrome

What is it?

Down’s syndrome is a chromosomal irregularity. Cells in the human body usually have 46 chromosomes present. However, in 1959, French physician, Jerome Lejeune, observed that the cells of people with Down’s syndrome had 47 chromosomes present in each cell.

An English doctor, John Langdon Down, was the first to publish a description of the condition in 1866; the syndrome was subsequently named after him.

How is it caused?

It is unknown what causes the presence of the additional chromosome. It happens throughout the world and is not specific to any one race, age or social class. It can happen to anyone.

Approximately 1 in every 1000 babies born in the UK will have Down’s syndrome. The number of babies born with Down’s in the US is about 1 in every 700 live births.

How many of the children at Hoi An Orphanage are affected?

Two of the Orphanage children have Down’s syndrome.

Hydrocephalus

What is it?

Hydrocephalus is often known as “water on the brain”. It is the result of an excessive build up of watery liquid around the brain, called cerebrospinal fluid.

How is it caused?

The ventricles of the brain produce a liquid called cerebrospinal fluid . Hydrocephalus is caused when the cerebrospinal fluid is not absorbed correctly into the bloodstream. The fluid does not drain away and this creates pressure on the brain’s ventricles, causing them to swell.

How many of the children at Hoi An Orphanage are affected?

Two of the Orphanage children were born with hydrocephalus; three year old girl Be Hong and six year old girl Hong Nhi. In 2005 we took Be Hong to Ho Chi Minh City to have shunt surgery; she is now developing extremely well. Hong Nhi’s condition has remained stable, therefore it was decided that Hong Nhi’s condition was so developed that surgery could not help her.