FREQUENTLY
ASKED QUESTIONS
What
is a cleft lip and cleft palate?
A
cleft is an opening in the lip, the roof of the mouth, or the
soft tissue in the back of the mouth. A cleft lip may be accompanied
by an opening in the bones of the upper jaw and/or upper gum.
A cleft palate occurs when the two sides of a palate do not join
together, resulting in an opening in the roof of the mouth. A
cleft lip and palate can occur on one side or both sides. A child
can suffer from a cleft lip, a cleft palate or both.
What
causes clefting?
The
exact cause is unknown. Cleft lips and cleft palates are congenital
defects that occur early in embryonic development. Scientists
believe a combination of genetic and environmental factors such
as maternal illness, drugs or malnutrition may lead to a cleft
lip or cleft palate. If one child in a family is born with a cleft,
the risk increases by 2 to 4 percent that future children in the
family will suffer from the same defect.
How
frequently do cleft lips and cleft palates occur?
One
out of 800 babies in the United States is born with a cleft lip
or cleft palate - the fourth most common birth defect in the United
States. It is estimated that in the developing world, the number
of babies born with this deformity is one in 500-600.
Does
a cleft lip or cleft palate cause problems for a child?
Ear
disease and dental problems occur frequently, as do problems with
proper speech development. Children who suffer from a cleft lip
and/or cleft palate may have difficulty eating. To address these
issues, a child and family may work with a team of specialists
- a pediatrician, a plastic surgeon, dental specialists, a speech
language pathologist and audiologist, a geneticist and a psychologist/social
worker.
Can
clefting be prevented?
Scientists
are researching methods to prevent cleft lips and cleft palates,
but little is known to date. According to a recent study, mothers
who take multivitamins containing folic acid before conception
and during the first two months of pregnancy may reduce their
risk of giving birth to a baby with a cleft. Other studies suggest
that high doses of vitamin A may play a role in some birth defects
including cleft lips and cleft palates.
Can
cleft lips and cleft palates be repaired?
Yes.
Surgery provides excellent results. A pediatrician and a plastic
surgeon work with a child's parents to choose the best timing
for the surgery. Most surgeons agree that a cleft lip should be
repaired by the time a baby is 3 months old. To repair the partition
of mouth and nose as early as possible, a cleft palate generally
is repaired between the ages of 12 and 18 months. Any surgical
procedure is dependent upon a child's general health and the nature
of the cleft lip or cleft palate.