Lip cleft and cleft palate are birth defects that occur during fetal development and when a baby is born. So what is the cause of this defect? Is there a way to treat the child?
What is cleft palate and cleft palate?
A cleft lip is a groove in the upper lip of varying sizes. The cleft palate is a hole in the palate.
The proportion of babies born with cleft palates is about 1: 1,000 births. As for cleft palate, this ratio is 1: 2500 births. Overall, about 1 in 800 births are affected by cleft palate and / or cleft palate.
Face and upper lip develop during 5 to 9 weeks of pregnancy. Most cleft palate problems can be detected on ultrasound at 20 weeks or immediately after birth. However, a hidden opening in the lining of the palate may not be detected for months or even years.
An cleft can lead to problems with eating, speaking, and hearing, ear infections, tooth decay , jaw development problems and psychosocial problems.
The cause of this defect
There is no exact cause for cleft palate and cleft palate. It can happen when a baby's family member has this condition. The baby can also have this defect, although it doesn't have a specific genetic factor or cause. This is called 'infrequent'.
Can't prevent cleft palate and cleft palate. Current research shows that what parents do during pregnancy does not affect whether their baby is born with a cleft lip and cleft palate.
Symptoms of cleft palate and cleft palate
Lip cleft and cleft palate may not occur at the same time. But they often come together, sometimes related to other problems. Usually, only soft tissue is affected. Occasionally bones can be involved, causing nose deformity.
Cleft palate and cleft palate vary in severity. It can be just a small mark on the upper lip, up to the cheek and palate defects , sometimes the nose. With a cleft palate, the hole in the palate creates a connection between the mouth and nose.
Children with these 2 defects will have difficulty eating. Because your child will find it difficult or impossible to put food in his or her mouth. Although swallowing is no problem.
Children with cleft palate are more likely to have hearing and fluid problems in the middle ear. There may also be problems speaking. For example, it is difficult to pronounce consonants.
In addition, children with this deformity are usually normal children.
How to treat?
Treatment given to these 2 defects will depend on the severity of the defect.
Initially the baby will eat with a special tube, through which the milk will be inserted into the back of the throat.
Your child will need surgery. The type, extent and number of surgeries will depend on the degree of deformation. Lip surgery is usually done when the baby is 3 to 6 months old. The palate is about 9 to 12 months old, before the baby starts to speak. Small adjustments can also be made on occasion before a child starts school.
The cosmetic results after cleft lip surgery are usually very good. Speech therapy can be of great help in correcting the nasal sound in this case. Children with cleft lips need regular follow-up with a doctor because of their susceptibility to ear infections and other problems. Children need to be closely supervised by a hearing specialist (audiologist).
Dental care may also be needed as many children will lose their teeth or have a deformed tooth.
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