1 Q: What is cleft lip and cleft palate ?
Cleft lip and/or cleft palate are common birth defects in India and world over, affecting 1 in 600 births globally. Cleft lip and palate may occur as part of an underlying syndrome or be an isolated birth defect. A cleft lip is the result of the lip not “fusing” together during the first few months of fetal development.
This often includes the separation of the upper gum line. A cleft palate, which also occurs during the first few months of fetal development, is a separation in the roof of the mouth caused by the sides of the palate not completely fusing one another.
The severity of cleft lip and cleft palate can vary. A baby can be born with just a cleft lip, just a cleft palate, or both a cleft lip and palate. Defects could be at one or both sides of mouth .
2 Q: Why does cleft occur ?
Multiple factors have been implicated, including genetic factors, maternal age, folic acid deficiency, and maternal smoking. Increased incidence is seen in children with a family history of cleft lip and palate. It can occur in association with other syndromes.
3 Q: Can it be cured ?
Yes, it can be. Care of a cleft lip/palate child starts immediately after birth, and surgical procedures continue in stages till the late teen years. But a healthy appearance and normal social life is possible in all cleft children.
4 Q: How do I feed my child ?
children born with cleft lip and palate cannot be breastfed reasonably as they are unable to suckle. Special feeding bottles with longer nipples with bigger openings are used. The child has to be propped up at 45 degrees when fed, and never fed in lying down position.
Frequent burping by patting gently on the back is needed to prevent air from filling the stomach. This needs to be done until about a month after palatal cleft has been repaired, i.e., about nine months to 1 year.
5 Q: What can be done if cleft lip and palate have been diagnosed during pregnancy ?
Nothing can be done as of now, though research is on to find in -utero cure, i.e., to reverse clefting before the child is born. If there are no other life-threatening syndromes associated, the condition can be well managed after birth.
6 Q: What do I do when my child is born with a cleft lip and palate?
Child needs to be assessed by a plastic surgeon, depending on the type of cleft, your child might require immediate orthodontic care to improve appearance. Feeding advice and further counseling about surgeries needed will be done.
7 Q: Will my child look completely normal ?
Appearance of a child with a cleft lip will be near normal with appropriate surgeries at the right time. Minimal scarring in the lip may remain. At times revision surgeries for correction of residual lip deformities may be needed.
8 Q: Will my child speak normally ?
Yes, with right surgery at the right time and speech therapy, the child will speak near normal
9 Q: Will my child's intelligence be affected ?
NO, in isolated cleft lip and palate patients, intelligence is not affected. Some syndromes, associated disorders of development may be present.
