What is the connection between cleft lip and palate and ear infections? my child was born with a cleft lip and palate. he often gets ear infections, and he has actually experienced some hearing loss because of them. why do children with cleft palates get

It : It is thought that children with cleft palate also do not have the proper mechanism for clearing the eustachean tube- the tube that communicates your ear with your throat that allows you to clear your ears when on an airplane. This tube can get easily occluded in cleft palate children and lead to inner ear infections.

See ENT: Please consult with a ENT physician. This is a complex case. A lot of cleft lip/ palates are treated very early in life to prevent future problems. Children's hospitals are a great place for these types of patients.

eustachian tubes: The eustachian tubes open into the middle ear and are not protected from formula, food or other oral fluids in the cleft palate child like they are with a normal palate. They become funnels into the middle ear to cause infections and future hearing loss.

see an ENT: All children with cleft palate should see an ent. Typically ear tubes are inserted at the time of the cleft palate repair. Hearing loss is very common and should be thoroughly investigated.

Mechanics: There is a muscle that straightens the Eustachian tube that drains mucus from the middle ear. This levator palitini muscle is not in the right position with CL/P so it does not function as well. This along with other feeding/swallowing issues makes these kids more prone to ear infections until their head grows larger. Many CP teams will place tubes during the initial surgery as part of overall Rx