Cleft Lip and Palate – Causes and Treatment
Cleft lip and cleft palate are birth defects that happen at very early stages of pregnancy. Clefting results when there is not enough tissue in the mouth or lip area. The available tissue fails to join properly and causes facial and oral malformations. It appears as openings (cleft palate) or splits (cleft lip) in the upper lip, the roof of the mouth, or both. According to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), each year in U.S, about 2,650 babies are born with a cleft palate and 4,440 babies are born with a cleft lip with or without a cleft palate. However, these congenital defects can be corrected and normal function and appearance can be restored with cleft palate surgery.
Causes The reason why cleft lip and palate occurs is hazy. Most scientists believe it may be due to genetic and environmental factors. There is a greater chance for occurrence of cleft in a baby if someone in the family has the problem. Other reasons cited include:
Medication the mother may have taken during her pregnancy could cause the child to be born with the abnormality. Taking drugs such as topiramate or valproic acid during the first three months of pregnancy pose an increased risk of the baby being born with a cleft lip
Exposure of the fetus to viruses or chemicals while in womb is another reason
Women with diabetes diagnosed before pregnancy have an increased chance of giving birth to a baby with cleft lip with or without cleft palate, compared to women who did not have diabetes
Women who smoke during pregnancy have higher chances of having a baby with an orofacial cleft than those who did not smoke
Treatment A cleft lip usually requires more than one surgery, depending on the extent of the repair. The initial surgery usually occurs when the baby is between 6 and 12 months old. Before surgery, some children may require some sort of orthodontic treatment in order to guide the growth of the mouth in the right direction. Such a technique is called nasal alveolar molding (NAM), which can be started from the first two weeks of a baby's life and can last up to six months. The main advantage of NAM is that it reduces the number of surgeries required during a patient’s lifetime. Other advantages of the technique include:
Helps in accurate repair of cleft lip by bringing edges closer
Helps in the correction of nasal deformity by creating a natural looking nose
Corrects cleft palate by repositioning the alveolar ridges and restoring normal anatomic alignment
Improves post surgical results
The surgery for cleft lift or cleft palate is highly recommended in the early stages of infancy. Certain clefts involving the gum line might require bone grafting and orthodontic care at a later stage. For the best results, choose a board-certified plastic surgeon with experience in the procedure. Such surgeons work with a team of specialists such as pediatricians, oral surgeons, orthodontists, speech therapists, social workers and others with the goal of providing the child with a normal appearance and improved function with minimal scarring.
Contact Houston Plastic and Craniofacial Surgery 6400 Fannin, Suite 2290 Houston, TX- 77030