Cleft lip and palate

Birth defects in which the lip or the roof of the mouth fail to close. Cleft lip and palate can occur in combination or separately. A baby born with a cleft lip has an elongated opening where parts of the upper lip have not fused. This opening can vary from a small notch at the top of the lip to a complete separation extending all the way to the nose. Cleft lip, with or without cleft palate, is both more common and more likely to be an inherited defect than is cleft palate alone. One of 1,000 babies is born with a cleft lip, with or without a cleft palate; only one of 2,500 babies is born with a cleft palate alone.


Cleft lip and palate are congenital conditions characterized by a split in the upper lip and/or the palate. Cleft lip typically presents as a vertical, usually off-center division in the upper lip, ranging from a small notch to an extension towards the nose. It may also involve a separation of the gum and result in nasal asymmetry. The term “harelip” specifically refers to a rare midline cleft lip. Cleft palate, on the other hand, refers to a gap that can extend from the back of the palate behind the teeth, creating an opening into the nasal cavity. This condition is often accompanied by additional challenges such as partial hearing loss and potentially other birth defects.


Surgical intervention to address a cleft lip can be performed within the initial days following birth or when the baby reaches approximately three months of age. The primary objective of the surgery is to enhance the child’s appearance, and it often leads to a minimal risk of speech impairments post-repair. On the other hand, repair of a cleft palate typically takes place around the age of 12 months, although additional procedures, orthodontic treatments, and speech therapy may be necessary for comprehensive rehabilitation.


 


Posted

in

by

Tags: