If your baby is diagnosed with a cleft lip, a cleft palate or both, you are not alone. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, cleft lip and cleft palate are among the most common birth defects, affecting about 1 in every 700 babies.
Still, knowing other families are going through this may not make the news easier to hear. Dr. Joshua Stone, a pediatric cleft and craniomaxillofacial surgeon at University Health, shares what the diagnosis means and how it is treated, which can help parents feel more prepared for what comes next.
Understanding Cleft Lip and Cleft Palate
“Cleft lip and cleft palate are birth defects that happen when the lip or mouth does not form all the way during early pregnancy,” Stone said. “Some babies have only a cleft lip or only a cleft palate. It is more common for babies to have both.”
Cleft Lip
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the lips form between weeks 4 and 7 of pregnancy. During this time, tissue grows from the sides of the face toward the center. That tissue joins together to form the lips and mouth.
When the tissue does not join all the way before birth, it is called a cleft lip. A cleft is a space or opening. With a cleft lip, the opening is left in the upper lip after it develops.
The opening may be small or large. It can sometimes reach up into the nose. A cleft lip can happen on one side of the lip, both sides or in the middle.
Cleft Palate
The palate is the roof of the mouth. It forms between weeks 6 and 9 of pregnancy. Like a cleft lip, a cleft palate happens when tissue does not join all the way before birth.
“In some babies, both the front and back of the palate are open,” Stone said. “In others, only the front or back is affected.”
The Effects of Cleft Lip and Cleft Palate
A cleft lip or cleft palate can be easy to see, but it can also affect other parts of a child’s health. These birth defects are also called “orofacial clefts.” Children with orofacial clefts may have:
- Dental problems
- Trouble feeding or swallowing
- Ear infections
- Hearing loss
- Social or emotional challenges
- Speech or language delays
Stone said early surgery can help prevent some of these problems. Children with more serious clefts may need more care later, such as braces or other dental treatment.
How Cleft Lip and Cleft Palate Are Diagnosed
Before ultrasound became a regular part of prenatal care in the 1970s, cleft lip and cleft palate were often first found at birth. “Today, a cleft lip is often found during a routine prenatal ultrasound,” Stone said.
If a cleft lip is found during pregnancy, families can meet with specialists before the baby is born. This helps them plan the care and surgery the baby may need after birth.
A cleft palate is still often found after birth. A doctor may see it during a newborn exam. You may also notice that the roof of your baby’s mouth looks different during feeding.
Treating Cleft Lip and Cleft Palate
Treatment for orofacial clefts is not the same for every child. If your baby has a cleft lip, cleft palate or both, a team of specialists can help you understand what care is needed and when.
Surgery is used to repair both a cleft lip and a cleft palate. The AAP recommends surgery during the first year of life for many orofacial clefts. Cleft palate surgery may happen a little later, by 18 months.
A cleft lip is often repaired when a baby is 3 to 6 months old. A cleft palate is often repaired when a baby is 9 to 14 months old. Some children may need more procedures later, based on their doctor’s advice.
Treatment may also include speech therapy to help with speaking, voice and swallowing. Children may also need dental care, hearing services or emotional support.
In the first weeks and months of your baby’s life, a feeding specialist or lactation consultant may also help with feeding or swallowing concerns.
Cleft Lip and Cleft Palate Care at University Health
If your baby is diagnosed with a cleft lip or cleft palate, care is available close to home at University Health. Providers with University Health’s Cleft and Craniofacial Center offer care for orofacial clefts, from diagnosis to treatment and follow-up care.
For more information about our services, visit our website.
You do not have to navigate a cleft lip or cleft palate diagnosis alone. Call the University Health Cleft & Craniofacial Center to learn about care options and next steps for your child.
