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My Child Has:
Cleft Lip and Cleft Palate
Video from our experts:
If you are an expectant parent who has received a prenatal diagnosis of cleft lip and palate (CLP), or if CLP is suspected, contact Children's Hospital Boston's Advanced Fetal Care Center. The AFCC provides diagnostic studies, counseling, treatment and care when CLP is suspected during pregnancy.
What are a cleft lip and a cleft palate?
Cleft lip and cleft palate are birth abnormalities of the mouth and lip that occur early in pregnancy when the sides of the lip and the roof of the mouth do no fuse together as they should.
Fast facts:
Cleft lip and cleft palate are the fourth most common birth defects in the US.
They affect about one in every 700 births annually.
They occur less frequently among African-Americans.
A child can have cleft lip, cleft palate, or both.
Cleft lip and cleft palate together are more common in boys.
Most babies born with a cleft are otherwise healthy with no other birth abnormalities.
What do a cleft lip and a cleft palate look like?
A cleft lip appears as a narrow opening in the skin of the upper lip that extends all the way to the base of the nose. It may occur on one side only (unilateral) or on both sides (bilateral).
Unilateral Incomplete (Click to see larger image)
Unilateral Complete (Click to see larger image)
Bilateral Complete (Click to see larger image)
A cleft palate is an opening between the roof of the mouth and the nasal cavity.
What causes a cleft lip and/or cleft palate?
The precise cause is unknown. It is believed to be the result of a combination of genetic and environmental factors that affect the fetus during the early stage of pregnancy.
Environmental factors may include certain drugs, illnesses, and the use of alcohol or tobacco while a woman is pregnant.
What are the chances of having a child with a cleft lip or cleft palate?
The chances vary for each family. However, if a parent has a cleft lip or cleft palate or has a child with one, the chances of having another child with the condition increases. Both mothers and fathers can pass on a gene or genes that cause cleft lip or cleft palate.
What problems are associated with a cleft lip or cleft palate?
In addition to the cosmetic abnormalities, children with a cleft lip or palate may experience the following complications:
feeding difficulties
ear infections and hearing loss
speech and language delay
dental problems
How is a cleft lip or cleft palate diagnosed?
Because clefting causes specific visible symptoms, it can be detected through a prenatal ultrasound. If the clefting has not been detected prior to the baby's birth, it's identified immediately afterward.
How are a cleft lip and cleft palate treated?
Treatment for these abnormalities includes reconstructive surgery and a complete team approach to help with the multiple complications that can occur.
Members of a child's cleft lip and palate treatment team usually include:
plastic surgeon
ear, nose, and throat physician
oral surgeon
dentist
speech-language pathologist
audiologist
nursing
What to do if your child has been prenatally diagnosed with a cleft lip and/or palate:
If you are an expectant parent who has received a prenatal diagnosis of cleft lip and palate (CLP), or if CLP is suspected, contact Children's Hospital Boston's Advanced Fetal Care Center. The AFCC provides diagnostic studies, counseling, treatment and care when CLP is suspected during pregnancy.
What to do if your newborn has a cleft lip and/or palate:
If your newborn has a cleft lip and palate (CLP), or if CLP is suspected, contact Children's Hospital Boston's Cleft Lip and Palate Program. The Cleft Lip and Palate Program provides a wide range of diagnostic, treatment and follow-up services, including:
plastic surgery to repair cleft lip and/or palate
dental and orthodontic treatment to help align teeth and treat gum problems
speech therapy to improve speech skills
hearing tests to check for hearing problems
The program also provides information, education and support to patients, their families and health care providers.
