Cleft lip and cleft palate

Description

Cleft lip and cleft palates are birth defects. Cleft lip is a fissure (or fissures) in the upper lip. Cleft palate is a cleft (or clefts) in the palate. The two may or may not occur together. Usually, surgery is performed to correct the clefts. Repair of a cleft lip is usually done within the first few months of life, and cleft palate repair is typically done later.

Children with cleft lip and/or cleft palate are generally followed by a team of specialists at a craniofacial center.

Potential feeding problems can include:

• Infant's ability to suck effectively can be impaired (special techniques are often used to make breastfeeding possible, or specialized bottles and nipples are suggested)
• Impaired coordination of chewing and swallowing solid foods