A cleft is a gap or split in the upper lip and/or roof of the mouth (palate). It is present from birth and is often diagnosed before the baby is born or soon after birth. The gap is there because the structures that form the lip and/or palate did not join together properly during development in the womb. The exact reason why this happens to some babies is often unclear. It’s very unlikely to have been caused by anything you did or did not do during pregnancy.
- Babies can be born with a cleft lip, a cleft palate, or both.
- A cleft lip may just affect one side of the lip or there may be 2 clefts.
- It can range from a small notch to a wide gap that reaches the nose.
- A cleft palate may just be an opening at the back of the mouth, or it may be a split in the palate that runs all the way to the front of the mouth.
- In some cases, a cleft lip or palate can occur as part of another genetic condition such as 22q11 deletion syndrome (sometimes called DiGeorge or velocardiofacial syndrome).
What might happen if a child has cleft lip and palate
Babies and young children with cleft lip and palate may experience some difficulties. These difficulties will improve after surgery and with treatments such as speech and language therapy.
- Difficulty feeding – a baby with a cleft lip and palate may be unable to breastfeed or feed from a normal bottle because they cannot form a good seal with their mouth.
- Hearing problems – some babies and young children with a cleft palate are more vulnerable to ear infections and a build-up of fluid in their ears (glue ear), which may affect their hearing
- Dental problems – a cleft lip and palate can mean a child’s teeth do not develop correctly and they may be at a higher risk of tooth decay.
- Speech problems – if a cleft palate is not repaired, it can lead to speech problems such as unclear or nasal-sounding speech.
Treatments and support for Cleft Lip and Palate
- Cleft lip and cleft palate are treated at specialist NHS cleft centres. Your child will usually have a long-term care plan that outlines the treatments and assessments they’ll need as they grow up.
- Surgery – an operation to correct a cleft lip is usually done when your baby is 3 to 6 months and an operation to repair a cleft palate is usually done at 6 to 12 months
- Feeding support – you may need advice about positioning your baby on your breast to help them feed, or you might need to feed them using a special type of bottle
- Monitoring hearing – it is important to access regular monitoring of your child’s hearing.
- Speech and language therapy – a speech and language therapist will monitor your child’s speech and language development throughout their childhood and help with any speech and language problems.
- Good dental hygiene and orthodontic treatment – you’ll be given advice about looking after your child’s teeth, and they may need braces if their adult teeth don’t come through properly
Outlook for cleft lip and palate
- The majority of children born with a cleft lip and/or cleft palate will go on to lead normal healthy lives and achieve their potential in all areas of their development.
You may find it useful to contact a support group, such as the Cleft Lip and Palate Association, who can offer advice and put you in touch with parents in a similar situation.
