Cleft Lip and Palate

Openings or cracks in the upper lip, the palate, or both are known as cleft lip and cleft palate, respectively. When the growing facial tissues of an unborn infant don’t completely shut, cleft lip and cleft palate occur.

Among the most prevalent birth abnormalities are cleft lip and cleft palate. Although they most frequently appear as solitary birth abnormalities, they are also linked to a variety of inherited genetic diseases or syndromes.

Cleft lip and palate can be fixed. In the majority of infants, a series of operations can attain a more normal appearance and restore normal function with little to no scarring.

Symptoms:

A split (cleft) in the lip or palate will be visible typically obvious from birth. The symptoms of cleft lip and palate include:

• One or both sides of the face may be affected by a split in the lip and palate (roof of the mouth).
• A lip split that just looks like a tiny notch in the lip or that extends through the upper gum and palate and into the base of the nose.
• A gap in the roof of the mouth that has no impact on facial appearance.

Less frequently, a cleft only affects the soft palate muscles (submucous cleft palate), which are in the back of the mouth and protected by the lining of the mouth. This kind of cleft is frequently undetected at birth and may not be identified until later when symptoms appear.

• Cleft lips, cleft palates, or both can occur in newborns.
• One or both sides of the lip may be affected by a cleft lip.
• It may be as minor as a notch or as large as a gap that extends to the nose.
• A cleft palate can either be a split in the palate that extends all the way to the front of the mouth or it can simply be an aperture at the back of the mouth.
• The lining of the mouth’s roof may occasionally conceal it.

When a kid is developing in the womb, the structures that make up the upper lip or palate might separate, resulting in a cleft lip or palate. It’s unknown why certain babies experience this. It’s quite probable that anything you did or did not do while pregnant caused it.

Cleft Lip and Palate is Occasionally Linked to

• The genes parents pass on to their children (although most cases are a one-off).
• Using tobacco products or consuming alcohol when pregnant.
• Pregnant women who are obese or who don’t get enough folic acid.
• Using some medications during the first trimester of pregnancy, such as some anti-seizure drugs and steroid pills.

In some instances, a disorder like 22q11 deletion syndrome (also known as DiGeorge syndrome or velocardiofacial syndrome) or Pierre Robin sequence can result in a cleft lip or palate along with other birth problems.

Diagnosis of Cleft Lip and Palate

When you are between 18 and 21 weeks pregnant, a mid-pregnancy anomaly scan is performed. This is when a cleft lip is typically detected. It’s very challenging to find a cleft palate on an ultrasound scan, and not all cleft lips will be visible on this scan. If the scan does not reveal a cleft lip or palate, it is typically discovered shortly after birth or during the newborn physical examination performed within 72 hours of birth.

Our experts will explain your child’s condition, go over the necessary procedures, and address any concerns you may have after a cleft lip or palate diagnosis.

Treatments For Cleft Lip and Palate

The therapies and evaluations your child will require as they become older will typically be included in a long-term care plan.The primary therapies are:

1. When your infant is 3 to 6 months old, a cleft lip operation is typically performed, and when your baby is 6 to 12 months old, a cleft palate operation is typically performed.
2. To assist your baby eat, you might need instruction on how to position them on your breast or you might need to use a specific kind of bottle.
3. Keeping an eye on the baby’s hearing is important since glue ear is more likely to damage hearing in babies with cleft palates. A hearing aid may be provided or tiny tubes called grommets may be inserted in their ears to drain the fluid if glue ear seriously affects their hearing. Close monitoring of their hearing is crucial.
4. Speech and language therapy: A speech and language therapist will keep track of your child’s verbal and linguistic growth throughout childhood and will assist with any issues.
5. Orthodontic care and proper teeth hygiene – You’ll receive guidance on how to care for your child’s teeth, and if their adult teeth don’t erupt properly, they may require braces.

Cleft Lip and Palate Signs

Most kids who have treatment for cleft lip or palate go on to lead entirely normal lives as adults.

Treatment can typically improve the appearance of the face and issues with eating and speaking, and the majority of affected children will not have any additional serious medical issues.

A tiny pink scar may be visible above the lips after cleft lip surgery. As your child gets older, this will diminish over time and become less obvious.

Possibility of Cleft Lip and Palate appearing Later In Life

It’s rare that your second child would be born with a cleft lip or palate because most cases are unique. If you’ve already had a kid with cleft lip or palate, your risk of having another one is somewhat enhanced, although the likelihood that this will happen is estimated to be between 2 and 8%.

Your likelihood of having a kid with a cleft is also between 2 and 8% if you or your partner were born with a cleft lip or palate.

In situations involving a hereditary issue, there may be a higher likelihood of another kid being born with a cleft lip or palate or of a parent transferring the problem to their child.

When to consult a doctor?

If you notice the following symptoms, you may have to consult our specialists:

1. Feeding difficulties.
2. Swallowing issues that could cause food or fluids to leak out of the nose.
3. Speaking with a nasal tone.
4. Persistent ear infections.