Shirley van de Velde MD

My research focuses on improving airway management in infants with Robin sequence (RS), a condition characterized by micrognathia, glossoptosis, upper airway obstruction, often accompanied by a cleft palate. The studies cover the full spectrum of care: from prenatal detection and genetic analysis, to early airway interventions and long-term outcomes following primary palatoplasty. Current prospective work includes evaluating the role of a custom-made palatal plate during preoperative polysomnography in the multicenter P(A)LATE study in the Netherlands. Together, these national and international projects provide evidence to guide clinical decision-making in airway management and enhance (prenatal) counseling of parents.