Cleft Lip and Cleft Palate

How Do Cleft Lip And Cleft Palate Occur?

Every baby has a cleft lip and cleft palate during early development in the womb. Normally, the tissues that form the palate and the upper lip come together in the middle and fuse. If your baby has a cleft, this fusion failed to happen when he or she was developing.

Why Does Fusion Of The Palate Fail To Happen?

It’s still not known why cleft lip and cleft palate don’t fuse. It affects around 1 in 600 babies.

Are There Patterns Of Occurrence Of Cleft Lip And Cleft Palate?

Yes, there are patterns of occurrence of cleft lip and palate across  different Races and genders

• clefts are most common in Asian children
• clefts are less common in whites and least common in black children
• boys are more often affected than girls.
• Genetic history plays a role too. Cleft lip and cleft palate appear in several family members.
• Substances called teratogens, have been associated with cleft lips and cleft palates.
• most babies with clefts have no known relatives with clefts and no known exposure to teratogens.
• a few babies with clefts also have other abnormalities

Will My Child Be Permanently Scarred?

Cleft lip and cleft palate are not dangerous to your child so surgical repair of the cleft is done by choice.

Cleft surgery is often done in several stages. A visible cleft lip may be corrected when  the baby is ten weeks old. Later, the cleft can be corrected by bringing together the tissues that should have fused before birth. An artificial palate, may be used to fill the gap in a cleft palate so that your baby can nurse and make speech sounds

How Do I Nurse My Cleft Baby?

Babies with a cleft lip can usually breast-feed. Babies with a cleft palate can usually breast-feed if the gap in the palate is narrow. Babies with both cleft lip and cleft palate might struggle to breast-feed, but breast milk or formula can be fed with a soft plastic bottle and a crosscut nipple.

How Will My Baby Talk?

If your baby has a cleft lip, he or she should not have many problems learning to talk. If your baby has a cleft palate, your baby may take a little longer than usual to learn to talk.

Is My Cleft Baby Susceptible To Any Other Complications?

• Yes, you may find that your child is more susceptible to ear infections as the cleft allows fluid and germs to enter the ears more readily.
• increased likelihood of dental problems. Fluoride treatment, tooth brushing and good dental care should all help.
• Under developed social skills. Children with clefts may become shy and withdrawn. Try to spend time with your baby, cuddling, talking and hugging.   Later on, when your child is older and is making friends, it is important to make your home a safe place for your child. If you are worried about any problems with growth and making friends, you should talk to your doctor.

Which Health Care Professionals Will Be Involved In Helping My Child?

As soon as a cleft is diagnosed, your doctor will probably send you to a special medical team that will help you and your baby. The team may include:-

• plastic surgeons
• speech pathologists
• audiologists
• oral surgeons
• orthodontists and dentists
• ear, nose and throat specialists
• psychologists
• social workers