| Cleft Lip and Cleft Palate What
are cleft lip and cleft palate?
Cleft lip and cleft palate are congenital birth defects that affect one in every 800
babies. The defect occurs in early pregnancy, when the left and right sides of the lip and
roof of the mouth normally fuse together.
- Cleft lip
is a separation in the upper lip.
- Cleft palate
is a separation in the roof of the mouth.
The lip and palate (roof of the mouth) develop separately. A baby can have a cleft lip,
cleft palate, or a combination of the two.
What causes cleft defects?
Cleft defects may be due to genetic factors that are hereditary. Sometimes clefts are part
of a syndrome’s characteristics (i.e., Down's syndrome). Researchers are continuing
to study the many possible causes of cleft defects.
Treatment for cleft defects:
Most cleft lips can be repaired within the first few months of life (usually when the baby
is about 10 weeks old). A cleft palate is usually repaired later than cleft lips (usually
when the baby is between nine and 18 months old). Timing of surgery will be determined by
your physician(s) based on:baby’s overall health and medical history
extent of deformity
tolerance of specific medications, procedures, or therapies
expectations for future development
Treatment for cleft defects is often managed by a team of healthcare professionals,
which may include a plastic surgeon, a pediatrician, a dentist, a speech and language
specialist, a social worker, a hearing specialist, an ear-nose-throat specialist
(otolaryngologist), a psychologist, a nurse, and a genetic counselor. Treatment may
include:
- plastic surgery
Depending on the extent of the cleft defect, repair may take several procedures
performed over a period of time.
- otolaryngology (ear-nose-throat)
Children with cleft palate tend to have problems with fluid in the middle ear
space.
- dentistry
As the child grows, teeth and gums may need to be corrected to improve speech and
chewing.
- genetic counseling
Parents (and the child later on) may have questions concerning the cause and future
hereditary possibilities of the cleft defect.
What complications are commonly associated with cleft defect surgery?
Any type of surgery carries some risk. Patients differ in their anatomy and their
ability to heal. Some complications from cleft defect surgery may include:
- asymmetry in matching both sides of the mouth and nose
- poor healing
- poor speech
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