Let's Talk About Clefts.

Have you ever heard or come across the terms "cleft lip" and "cleft palate" before? These are conditions that are relatively common and worth discussing.

What are clefts?

A cleft is simply an opening or a split. Cleft lip and cleft palate are splits in the upper lip or the roof of the mouth (palate), respectively. They are together known as orofacial clefts.

How do they occur?

The lips develop between the fourth and seventh weeks of pregnancy, while the palate (mouth roof) develops between the sixth and ninth weeks. The tissues of the face typically form separately on the right and left sides of the body during the formation process, then grow towards the centre where they meet and join. The same is true for the lips and palate. A cleft occurs when these tissues fail to join completely, leaving an opening in the upper lip (cleft lip) or the palate (cleft palate). The severity of these clefts varies, and they do occur together in the baby.

What are the likely causes of clefts?

The exact reason why clefts occur is often unclear. In some cases, cleft lip and palate are associated with genetic factors and with certain syndromes too.

They have also been associated with a lack of folic acid intake by the mother, obesity, smoking, and alcohol intake during pregnancy.?

Taking medications like steroids and anti-seizure drugs can also predispose the baby to clefts.

How do you notice it?

Immediately after the baby is born, an opening in the lip or palate is usually visible. It can manifest as a split in the lip on one or both sides of the face, a split in the palate, or both.

What problems are associated with clefts?

Orofacial clefts can be associated with a lot of challenges.?The baby can find it difficult to feed, as the mouth is unable to make a good seal during breastfeeding or bottle feeding. Ear infections can occur, and fluid can build up in the ears. These lead to hearing difficulties.?

The child’s speech will also be affected, due to air escape when they try to phonate. The teeth are also unlikely to develop properly if clefts are present.

As the child grows older and becomes conscious of this condition, it can lead to psychological and self-esteem issues for them.

How are clefts managed?

The severity of the cleft, the child's age and needs, and the presence of associated syndromes or other birth defects all influence how orofacial clefts are managed. Many specialties usually need to work together to achieve the best results.

It usually involves surgical repair of the clefts, and this is advised to be done within the first few months of life. As a result, it is important to report such cases as soon as possible.

Surgical repair can improve a child's facial appearance, as well as breathing, hearing, and speech development, and the child can have a healthy life.

This surgery can also be done for free!