Cleft Lip and Cleft Palate
On this page, you will find the information you seek about cleft lip and cleft palate.
What are cleft lip and cleft palate?
Cleft lip:
A cleft lip forms between the fourth and seventh weeks of pregnancy. As the baby grows during pregnancy, body tissues and special cells from each side of the head grow toward the center of the face and merge to form the face. This merging of tissues forms facial features, such as the lips and mouth. A cleft lip occurs if the tissue that forms the lip does not fully join before birth, resulting in an opening in the upper lip.
Cleft palate:
The roof of the mouth (palate) forms between the sixth and ninth weeks of pregnancy. A cleft palate occurs if the tissue that forms the roof of the mouth does not fully join together during pregnancy.
Types of cleft lip and cleft palate:
Cleft lip: The upper lip is composed of two large parts on each side and a small part in the middle. A cleft occurs if one or more of these three parts fail to join together during the seventh to ninth weeks of the pregnancy.
Cleft palate: The roof of the mouth forms when the bones and tissues from each side of the mouth move toward the center and join. If this process does not occur between the tenth and twelfth weeks, a gap forms in the roof of the mouth. This gap may be only in the soft tissue at the back of the mouth or may extend along the length to the gums.
Cleft lip and cleft palate: This occurs when the upper lip, gums, and roof of the mouth fail to join together by the twelfth week of pregnancy. It can be unilateral or bilateral, with a gap between the mouth and nasal cavities.
- What are the symptoms of a cleft lip and cleft palate?
- Difficulty feeding
- Speech and hearing problems
- Earinfections
- Tooth decay and jaw problems
Older children may also experience nasal-sounding speech (nasal voice)
What are the causes and risk factors for cleft lip and cleft palate?
The causes of facial and oral clefts in most children are unknown. It is believed that cleft lip and cleft palate result from a combination of genetic and other factors. Some factors that increase the likelihood of having a child with a cleft include:
Smoking — Women who smoke during pregnancy are more likely to have a child with a facial and oral cleft than non-smokers.
- Diabetes — Women with diagnosed diabetes before pregnancy have a higher chance of giving birth to a child with a cleft lip with or without a cleft palate compared to those without diabetes.
- Use of certain medications: Women who use specific medications for epilepsy, such as Topiramate or Valproic acid, during the first trimester of pregnancy have ahigher risk of having a child with a cleft lip with or without a cleft palate compared to women who do not take these medications.
- What are the diagnostic methods?
The physician takes the medical history and conducts a clinical examination, and may order additional procedures as needed, such as:
Routine ultrasound during pregnancy.
- It can also be diagnosed after the child’s birth, particularly the cleft palate. However, certain types of cleft palate (e.g., submucosal cleft palate and bifid uvula) may not be diagnosed until later.
What are the treatment methods for cleft lip and cleft palate?
Treatment involves multiple procedures based on necessity, which may include the following:
Care and treatment of children with cleft lip and cleft palate varies according to the severity of the condition, the child’s age and needs, and the presence of associated syndromes or other congenital deformities, or both.
Surgery to repair a cleft lip usually occurs in the first few months of the child’s life and is recommended within the first eighteen months. Many children may need additional surgeries as they grow older. Surgical repair can improve the appearance and shape of the child’s face and also improve breathing, hearing, and speech. Children born with oral and facial clefts may need other types of treatments and care, such as dental care, orthodontics, or speech therapy.
What are the preventive methods for cleft lip and cleft palate?
Avoid risk factors such as smoking and the use of certain epilepsy medications during pregnancy, unless consulted with a specialist.
What are the complications of a cleft lip and a cleft palate?
Complications include feeding difficulties, speech and hearing problems, ear infections, tooth decay, and jaw issues.
When should you see a doctor?
Pregnant women should see a doctor throughout all pregnancy stages for advice and regular check-ups. If feeding problems are observed, consult a doctor to determine the causes of these issues.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Does my child have feeding problems? Does it mean they have a cleft lip?
No, feeding problems are numerous, the most important of which is the mother’s lack of knowledge about the correct position and method of breastfeeding. Therefore, visit the health educator to learn the right way and conduct necessary tests for the child if needed.
Is a cleft lip and cleft palate a chronic and untreatable condition?
No, it can be treated, God willing, and the person can live a completely normal life.
:
.
لا، هو مرض يمكن علاجه بإذن الله ويمكن أن يعيش الشخص بشكل طبيعي تماماً.
