What is cleft lip?
Cleft lip is a treatable birth defect. It happens when the tissues of the upper jaw and nose don't join as expected during fetal development. This causes a split (cleft) in the lip.
A cleft lip may be complete or incomplete. With either type, it usually only involves one side of the upper lip and rarely occurs in the lower lip. Cleft lip often occurs with cleft palate. Cleft palate and cleft lip are the most common birth defects of the head and neck.
A cleft lip usually doesn't cause health problems. Surgery can be done to fix the split and improve the appearance of the mouth and nose.
What causes cleft lip?
Doctors aren't sure what causes it. But your baby may be more likely to have cleft lip if:
It's important to take good care of yourself before and during your pregnancy so that your baby will be as healthy as possible.
People who have a family history of cleft lip may want to think about genetic counseling. It can help you understand your chances of having a child with a cleft lip.
What are the symptoms?
You'll notice a split in the baby's lip. It's easy to see right at birth.
Babies with cleft lip typically don't have any problems feeding. But babies with both cleft lip and cleft palate may have feeding problems.
How is cleft lip diagnosed?
Cleft lip is usually diagnosed at birth. Shortly after birth, the baby will have a physical exam. The doctor will look inside your baby's mouth to see whether there is also a cleft palate.
How is it treated?
Surgery can fix a cleft lip. Before surgery, a baby may wear a mouth support, such as a dental splint, a soft dental molding insert, or medical adhesive tape.
Most doctors suggest that surgery be done by the time a baby is 6 months old.1 But the timing of the surgery depends on a few things, such as how severe the split is and the health of the baby.
As your child grows, he or she will probably need more than one operation. For example, if your baby's nose has an odd shape, surgery may help fix it. Your child may need other treatment, such as speech therapy if he or she has a hard time pronouncing words.
What can you do at home to help your child and yourself?
As your child grows, pay special attention to dental care and any speech problems. You can support your child's self-esteem if he or she is concerned about the scar. Explain how cleft lips form and how having one has been a part of making your child strong. This will help your child know how to answer questions from other children and adults.
Caring for your child with cleft palate can take time and patience. Seek support from friends and family. You can join a support group to meet others who are going through similar challenges.
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