Cleft Lip and Palate

A cleft lip and palate is the most common birth defect of the face that involves a split in the upper lip and/or gap in the roof of the mouth. Over 6,000 infants are born in the US each year with this condition, which is caused by abnormal development of the lip and palate. A cleft lip and palate can cause feeding, speech, ear and dental problems.

A cleft can appear in the lip or palate alone, or in both areas and on one or both sides of the mouth. Children with clefts are at higher risk for ear infections and dental problems. Feeding is usually difficult as well.

Reconstructive surgery is the recommended treatment for clefts. This surgery is usually performed when the child is 3 to 6 months for a cleft lip and 9 to 14 months for a cleft palate. It is recommended for your child to regularly meet with different specialists in order to help develop the areas that may be affected by the clefts. Although this condition requires a lot of care, it is manageable and can be overcome by many children with the help of a trusted team of doctors.