Question 1

what is a "cleft lip/palate team"?

Accepted Answer

Diverse, expert team: A cleft lip/palate team is a group of healthcare providers with expertise in evaluation and management of cleft lip with or without cleft palate. These usually include: audiology, craniofacial/plastic surgery, dentistry, ear/nose/throat surgery, nursing, ophthalmology, oral/maxillofacial surgery, orthodontics, psychology, speech therapy and a patient coordinator.

Question 2

how common is a cleft lip/palate ?

Accepted Answer

About 1 in 600 : Cleft lip and palate birthrates vary among different races and population groups.  Males more often have isolated cleft lips, which are more common on the left side.  Females more often have isolated cleft palates.  Syndromic births have an increased association of cleft lip and palate.

Question 3

what can be done for cleft lip palate?

Accepted Answer

A lot: Surgical repair is the treatment for cleft lip and palate.  It will often be multiple, staged surgeries during childhood.  It is best to be treated at a multi-disciplinary cleft lip and palate clinic.  You can find one in your area by checking out the acpa website.

Question 4

how to tell if you have a cleft lip/palate?

Accepted Answer

These sadly are: Birth defects that affect the upper lip and roof of the mouth.  It is correctable surgically.  Just google cleft lip and palate for images - they are very distinct in appearance.

Question 5

how do teenagers deal with cleft lip/palate?

Accepted Answer

A team approach: You will need support groups, great parents, teachers and a solid medical team.

Question 6

who made our baby develop a cleft lip/palate?

Accepted Answer

Sporadic event: Clcp defects occur sporadically in the population. The cause is unknown but there are a complex series of genes involved. A clcp parent has a 4% risk of a second child with the defect, & 2 clcp parents have about 8% risk of a child with a defect. Most occur in families with no history of prior defects.

Question 7

any tips for someone with a cleft lip & palate?

Accepted Answer

Orthodontics: I suggest you see an orthodontist to see what can be done. An orthodontist is trained in the treatment of dent-facial deformities such as cleft lip and palate. You may also need surgery on your cleft palate to close the cleft. However, your teeth should be aligned first so that the surgeon can establish a normal bite during the surgery.

Question 8

is cleft lip/palate more predominant in low-income countries?

Accepted Answer

Cleft lip: I don't think so, but there is definitely some inhereted aspect of this deformity.
Low income countries may not pay attention to the inheritance of this disease.

Question 9

what are the treatments for correcting a cleft lip/palate in babies?

Accepted Answer

Repair: Typically we like to repair cleft lips when the baby reaches 10 pounds, 10 weeks of age and a hemoglobin of 10 or more.
Cleft palates are normally closed at 8-12 months so that the maxilla can get maximal advancement which prevents extra surgery at  a later date, .

Question 10

my brother was born with a cleft lip/palate but i was not. is this hereditary?

Accepted Answer

Multifactorial: The complete answer is not understood.  Genetics, environment ethnicity and nutrition do play a part.

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Doctor answers about:

Double cleft lip and palate

A member asked:

What is a "cleft lip/palate team"?

A member asked:

How common is a cleft lip/palate ?

A member asked:

What can be done for cleft lip palate?

A member asked:

How to tell if you have a cleft lip/palate?

A member asked:

How do teenagers deal with cleft lip/palate?

A member asked:

Who made our baby develop a cleft lip/palate?

A member asked:

Any tips for someone with a cleft lip & palate?

A member asked:

Is cleft lip/palate more predominant in low-income countries?

A member asked:

What are the treatments for correcting a cleft lip/palate in babies?

A member asked:

My brother was born with a cleft lip/palate but i was not. is this hereditary?

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