Cleft Lip and Cleft Palate Surgery
Cleft lip and cleft palate surgery helps restore normal appearance and function in children and adults. With specialized surgical techniques, improve speech, eating, and facial symmetry for a healthier, confident life.
Cleft Lip/Cleft Palate
Cleft lip and cleft palate are openings in the upper lip or roof of the mouth that develop during early pregnancy. These conditions can affect a child’s ability to eat, speak, and grow normally. Treatment typically involves one or more surgeries and may also include speech therapy and dental care. With the support of a dedicated medical team, your child can achieve healthy development and improved quality of life every step of the way.
What Are Cleft Lip and Cleft Palate?
Cleft lip and cleft palate are birth defects that occur when a baby’s upper lip or the roof of their mouth (palate) doesn’t form properly during pregnancy. These gaps happen when the tissue that makes up the lip or mouth doesn’t fully join together. Surgery is the primary treatment to repair cleft lips and/or palates.
What Is a Cleft Lip?
A cleft lip occurs when the tissues of the upper lip don’t come together completely during early fetal development, usually between the 4th and 7th weeks of pregnancy. This results in an opening or gap in the upper lip. The opening can be small, like a notch, or extend up into the nose. In some cases, the gums or roof of the mouth may also be affected.
What Is a Cleft Palate?
A cleft palate is a split or opening in the roof of the mouth that forms between the 6th and 9th weeks of pregnancy. It can affect the hard palate (the bony front part), the soft palate (the back, soft part), or both. This gap may make it difficult for a baby to feed or speak properly.
Can a Baby Have Both?
Yes. A baby may have:
A cleft lip only.
A cleft palate only.
Both a cleft lip and cleft palate (the most common).
These conditions may occur on one side (unilateral) or both sides (bilateral) of the mouth. Each child’s case is unique and treated with a personalized plan.
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What Causes Cleft Lip and Cleft Palate?
In most cases, the exact cause of a cleft lip or cleft palate isn’t known. Experts believe it results from a combination of genetic factors (inherited traits) and environmental influences during pregnancy. If a close family member—such as a parent or sibling—has had a cleft, the chances of a newborn being born with the condition may increase.
Risk Factors for Cleft Lip and Palate
Several factors may increase the risk of having a baby with a cleft, including:
Family history: A higher chance exists if parents or relatives have had a cleft lip or palate.
Exposure to harmful substances during pregnancy: Using tobacco, drinking alcohol, or taking certain medications can raise the risk.
Nutritional deficiencies: Not getting enough folate (vitamin B9) during early pregnancy may increase the chances of cleft formation.
Gender and ethnicity:
Cleft lip (with or without cleft palate) is more common in males.
Cleft palate alone is more common in females.
In the U.S., cleft conditions are more common in Native American and Asian populations, and least common among African Americans.
Is Cleft Lip or Palate Genetic?
Yes, cleft lip and cleft palate may have a genetic link. If either parent was born with a cleft, the chance of having a baby with the same condition ranges from 2% to 8%. If you already have a child with a cleft, the risk for future children may be slightly higher.
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Causes of Cleft Lip and Cleft Palate
Cleft lip and cleft palate occur when the tissues of the baby’s face and mouth don’t join together properly during early pregnancy. Normally, these tissues fuse in the first few weeks of development, but in babies with a cleft, they either don’t come together at all or only partially, resulting in an opening in the lip, the roof of the mouth (palate), or both.
Both genetic and environmental factors can contribute to the development of a cleft. In some cases, a baby may inherit a gene that increases the risk. This genetic tendency, when combined with certain environmental factors during pregnancy, can lead to clefting. However, in many babies, the exact cause remains unknown.
Prevention
While not all cases of cleft lip and cleft palate can be prevented, there are steps you can take to lower the risk during pregnancy:
Consider Genetic Counseling
If you or your partner have a family history of cleft conditions, speak with your healthcare provider before pregnancy. A genetic counselor can help assess your risk and guide you through next steps.Take Prenatal Vitamins
Start taking prenatal vitamins with folic acid before and during pregnancy, as they support healthy fetal development and may help reduce the risk of birth defects.Avoid Tobacco and Alcohol
Refrain from smoking or using alcohol during pregnancy. Both substances are linked to a higher chance of birth defects, including cleft lip and palate.
Complications of Cleft Lip and Cleft Palate
Babies born with a cleft may experience several challenges, including:
Feeding difficulties, whether breastfeeding or bottle-feeding
Speech problems, such as unclear or delayed speech
Hearing issues, often due to fluid buildup behind the eardrum
Dental concerns, like missing, crooked, or extra teeth
With early intervention and expert care, many of these complications can be successfully managed or corrected.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, some children may require additional procedures for speech, dental alignment, or cosmetic adjustments as they grow.
No. While it affects appearance, it can also impact feeding, speech, hearing, and dental development, which is why early treatment is important.
Not all cases are preventable, but risks can be reduced by:
– Taking prenatal vitamins (with folic acid)
– Avoiding tobacco and alcohol during pregnancy
– Seeking genetic counseling if there’s a family history.
Some children may experience feeding difficulties, speech delays, or hearing issues, but these can often be improved with early medical and therapeutic support.
Cleft lip surgery is often done between 3 to 6 months of age.
Cleft palate surgery usually happens between 9 to 18 months of age.
Your surgeon will determine the best timeline based on your child’s needs.
Yes, they can be treated through surgery, usually performed in stages during early childhood. Treatment may also involve speech therapy, dental care, and hearing support.
Yes, clefts can often be seen on a prenatal ultrasound around the 20th week of pregnancy, especially cleft lip. Detecting cleft palate before birth is more difficult.
Clefts occur when tissues in the face and mouth don’t join properly during early pregnancy. Causes may include a combination of genetic and environmental factors. In many cases, the exact cause is unknown.
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