Cleft Lip/Cleft Palate
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Cleft palate and cleft lip are common facial birth defects that occur when the palate or upper jaw fail to fuse during development. Cleft palate is a gap or split in the roof of the mouth. Cleft lip is a split or notch in the gum line and lip. The causes of cleft lip and cleft palate are unknown, but either may develop if a change occurs in an unborn child’s genes, the mother has diabetes or maternal illness, the unborn child has vitamin deficiencies or an infection, or the unborn child is exposed to drugs or alcohol. Cleft palate and cleft lip are associated with syndromes such as Goldenhar syndrome, Treacher-Collins syndrome, and Pierre-Robin syndrome. After birth, a child with cleft palate or cleft lip may have problems with feeding, hearing, tooth development, and speech. Cleft palate and cleft lip occur in about 1 in 1,000 live births.
Screening and Diagnosis
Cleft lip and cleft palate are usually noticed and diagnosed at birth, but can also be identified via ultrasound around thirteen weeks gestation. Diagnosis does not require testing.
Treatment/Prognosis
Cleft lip and cleft palate are not life-threatening conditions and can usually be treated with surgery and a series of follow up ear tube or facial reconstruction surgeries during childhood depending on the kind of repair that is needed. The initial cleft lip surgery occurs within the three to six months after birth and an initial cleft palate surgery occurs within the baby’s first year. Complications from cleft lip or cleft palate are currently addressed by monitoring children for oral and orthodontic health, treating ear infections, or utilizing speech therapy, feeding strategies, or hearing aids.
Medical advances are continually improving treatment options and outcomes so consulting with specialists and major children’s hospitals may be beneficial to finding the best possible care.
Sources:
Cleft Lip Surgery | Children’s Minnesota (childrensmn.org)
Cleft Lip and Cleft Palate | UPMC Children's Pittsburgh (chp.edu)
Cleft Palate (cincinnatichildrens.org)
Cleft Lip | Pavilion for Women (texaschildrens.org)
The Fetal Medicine Foundation
Cleft Lip and Cleft Palate: Causes, Diagnosis & Treatment (clevelandclinic.org)
Cleft lip and cleft palate - Diagnosis and treatment - Mayo Clinic