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Birth Defects and Disorders - Cleft Lip and Cleft Palate

Cleftlipandcleftpalateisoneofthecommonbirthdefectsanddisordersinchildren.Readontoknowmoreaboutthecausesandproblemsassociatedwithcleftlipandcleftpalate.Cleftlipandcleftpalatearefacialdefectsthatoccurinchildrenwhentheyaredevelopinginsidetheirmother’swomb.Thishappensbecauseoflackofenoughtissuesinthemouthorlipareaandthetissuesthatarepresentdonotjoinproperly.Infact,duringpregnancy,theareasoffacedevelopseparatelyandthenjointogetherandthelipclosesby5to6weeksoftimeafterconception.Thepalateclosesbytheendof10weeks.Ifsomepartsdonotjoinproperly,cleftisdeveloped.InthisarticleRisksofCleftlipandCleftPalateCausesFeedingproblemsEarInfectionsandHearingLossDentalProblemsSpeechComplicatednessRisksofCleftlipandCleftPalateChildrengetcleftlipwithorwithoutcleftpalateandgirlsaretwiceatriskofdevelopingcleftpalatewithoutacleftlip.Asfarascleftlipisconcerned,studiesshowthatboysaretwicemoreaffectedbythisproblemthangirls.Sinceacleftlipisvisibleitiseasiertobeidentifiedthanacleftpalate.Thiscanbefoundoutintheprenatalultrasoundalso.However,diagnosingcleftpalateismoredifficultandmightnotbeseenforlong.Evenifcleftlipisdetectedduringpregnancy,thetreatmentispossibleonlyafterthebirthofthechild.CausesTherearetimeswhencleftlipisaresultofbirthdefectandshowsthattheremightbeotherdefectsalso.Insomecases,itisgeneticandrunsinthefamilyitself.Therefore,familieshavingahistoryofcleftliporcleftpalateareathigherriskofhavingthesameprobleminthenextgenerationalso.Sometimescleftarerelatedtoenvironmentalfactorsalsolikeuseofcertainmedicationsbywomanduringpregnancy,lackofcertainvitaminsinpregnantwomenorexposuretocigarettesmokeduringpregnancy.However,inmostcasesthecausecannotbespecificallyfiguredout.ProblemsAssociatedwithCleftlipandCleftPalateCleftlipandpalatehasmanyassociatedproblemslikefeedingproblems,hearinglossorfluidbuildupinmiddleear,dentalabnormalitiesandspeechdifficulties.FeedingproblemsIfthechildhasonlycleftlip,theproblemfeedinghimwillbelessascomparedtothechildsufferingfromboth,cleftlipandcleftpalate.Aspecialnippleandbottlealongwithproperpositioningofthechildduringfeedisimportantwiththechildhavingcleftpalate.Thisisbecausethereisriskofpalatepreventsmilkfromenteringintothenosewhenchildisbeingfed.Itisimportantforthecaregivertolearnhowtofeedthebabybeforetakinghimhomefromhospital.EarInfectionsandHearingLossChildrenwithcleftpalatearepronetoearinfectionswhichmightevenleadtohearingloss.Therefore,childrenwithcleftlipandpalatemusthavetheirearsandhearingcheckedatleasttwiceayearandmoreoftenifthechildisfoundhavinghearingproblem.DentalProblemsDentalproblemsarefrequentinchildrenwithcleftlipandpalate.Thesecanbemissedtooth,extratooth,malpositionedtoothandmanymore.Theyalsohavedefectsingumandbonesthatsupportsteeth.SpeechComplicatednessSpeechproblemsarefoundinchildrenwithcleftpalatemorethanthosewithcleftlip.Evenaftertherepairofcleftpalate,childrensufferfromspeechdifficulties.Consultingaspeech-languagepathologistwillbringinhugedifferenceashewillbeabletoidentifytheproblemandrecommendtreatmentaswell.Variousspecialistswillworkasateamtorectifytheproblemsofthechildhavingcleftlipandcleftpalate.Earlydetectionandtreatmentwillhelpalot.However,thetreatmentstartedsoonafterthechild’sbirthmayevencontinuetilladulthood.Togetherwiththecleftpalateteam,youcanalsohelpyourchildthroughtoughtimes.Summary:Althoughcleftlipandcleftpalatecanbetreatedbymanysuccessfuloperationsandtreatment,somechildrenfinditverydifficulttodealandgrowwiththeseproblems.Ifproperlysupported,thesekidscangrowuptobecomehappyadults.Whatarethecausesofcleftlipandcleftpalateinchildren?Isitpossibletopreventcleftlipandcleftpalateinchildren?Whatarethetreatmentsforcleftlipandcleftpalateinchildren?Discusshere.

Cleft lip and cleft palate is one of the common birth defects and disorders in children. Read on to know more about the causes and problems associated with cleft lip and cleft palate.

Cleft lip and cleft palate are facial defects that occur in children when they are developing inside their mother’s womb. This happens because of lack of enough tissues in the mouth or lip area and the tissues that are present do not join properly. In fact, during pregnancy, the areas of face develop separately and then join together and the lip closes by 5 to 6 weeks of time after conception. The palate closes by the end of 10 weeks. If some parts do not join properly, cleft is developed.

Risks of Cleft lip and Cleft Palate

Children get cleft lip with or without cleft palate and girls are twice at risk of developing cleft palate without a cleft lip. As far as cleft lip is concerned, studies show that boys are twice more affected by this problem than girls. Since a cleft lip is visible it is easier to be identified than a cleft palate. This can be found out in the prenatal ultrasound also. However, diagnosing cleft palate is more difficult and might not be seen for long.

Even if cleft lip is detected during pregnancy, the treatment is possible only after the birth of the child.

Causes

There are times when cleft lip is a result of birth defect and shows that there might be other defects also. In some cases, it is genetic and runs in the family itself. Therefore, families having a history of cleft lip or cleft palate are at higher risk of having the same problem in the next generation also.

Sometimes cleft are related to environmental factors also like use of certain medications by woman during pregnancy, lack of certain vitamins in pregnant women or exposure to cigarette smoke during pregnancy. However, in most cases the cause cannot be specifically figured out.

Problems Associated with Cleft lip and Cleft Palate

Cleft lip and palate has many associated problems like feeding problems, hearing loss or fluid buildup in middle ear, dental abnormalities and speech difficulties.

Feeding problems

If the child has only cleft lip, the problem feeding him will be less as compared to the child suffering from both, cleft lip and cleft palate. A special nipple and bottle along with proper positioning of the child during feed is important with the child having cleft palate. This is because there is risk of palate prevents milk from entering into the nose when child is being fed. It is important for the caregiver to learn how to feed the baby before taking him home from hospital.

Ear Infections and Hearing Loss

Children with cleft palate are prone to ear infections which might even lead to hearing loss. Therefore, children with cleft lip and palate must have their ears and hearing checked at least twice a year and more often if the child is found having hearing problem.

Dental Problems

Dental problems are frequent in children with cleft lip and palate. These can be missed tooth, extra tooth, malpositioned tooth and many more. They also have defects in gum and bones that supports teeth.

Speech Complicatedness

Speech problems are found in children with cleft palate more than those with cleft lip. Even after the repair of cleft palate, children suffer from speech difficulties. Consulting a speech-language pathologist will bring in huge difference as he will be able to identify the problem and recommend treatment as well.

Various specialists will work as a team to rectify the problems of the child having cleft lip and cleft palate. Early detection and treatment will help a lot. However, the treatment started soon after the child’s birth may even continue till adulthood. Together with the cleft palate team, you can also help your child through tough times.

Summary: Although cleft lip and cleft palate can be treated by many successful operations and treatment, some children find it very difficult to deal and grow with these problems. If properly supported, these kids can grow up to become happy adults.

What are the causes of cleft lip and cleft palate in children? Is it possible to prevent cleft lip and cleft palate in children? What are the treatments for cleft lip and cleft palate in children? Discuss here.