Medical Conditions

Overview

Cleft lip and palate are congenital abnormalities (birth defects) that affect the upper lip and the hard and soft palate of the mouth. The problem can range from a small notch in the lip, all the way to a complete fissure (groove) extending into the roof of the mouth and nose. In most cases, the cleft occurs only in the upper lip and doesn’t affect the lower lip. A child born with a separation in the upper lip is said to have a cleft lip; a separation in the roof of the mouth is called a cleft palate. A cleft lip can be either unilateral or bilateral. A unilateral cleft lip occurs on only the right or left side of the lip under the nostril, and the noses of babies with unilateral cleft lip may look slightly tilted or lower than normal. A bilateral cleft lip involves both sides of the lip, and babies with bilateral cleft lips may have a deep split in the lip that extends into both nostrils and may cause the nose to look broader and shorter than normal.

It is one of the more common birth defects; one in 800 babies is born with a cleft lip or palate.

The most common question parents have when they have a child is born with cleft palate or cleft lip is, “How will my child eat?” Click the Specific Information link under In the Hospital for details on feeding your child. For cleft palate, temporary placement of a dental plate in the roof of the mouth may make eating and drinking easier until it is surgically repaired. Your doctor should be able to tell you whether or not your child’s problem is part of a “syndrome” or a group of problems that occur together. If this is the case, we have a Genetics Program, that will be very helpful to you.

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