A cleft lip and palate are congenital anomalies that happen to infants usually during the early phases in the pregnancy. When there is no proper fusion between the infant’s lip and mouth during early pregnancy, a narrow gap in the upper lip of the child is created.
Patients with children who have this condition could be disheartened by their child’s situation. Fortunately, this case can be treated even at an early age. Our multidisciplinary craniofacial surgery practice in Cleveland accommodates patients who have this congenital condition, which is best treated because of the possible problems that can occur when left untreated.
Speech Problems
Children who have a cleft lip or palate may have difficulty speaking. Their voice may not be carried well and may produce a nasal sound. At times, their speech could be hard to understand. Even after surgery, normal speech may not be achieved, but it will improve with the help of a speech pathologist.
Eating Problems
Feeding children who have this condition could be difficult since food and liquids fed into their mouths may pass back through the nose because of the presence of the opening or separation. Until surgical treatment is done, the child could make use of special nipples in order to do proper feeding as well as to receive proper nutrition.
Hearing Loss or Ear Infections
Since children with cleft lip or palate have an opening between the lip and nose, they are more likely to have a build-up of fluid in the middle ear, leading to ear infections. Ear infections need to be treated to avoid hearing loss. Children with cleft palate require special tubes that will be placed in their eardrums to allow fluid drainage in the area.
Cleft Lip and Palate Repair in Cleveland, OH
Our craniofacial surgery experts are qualified to treat cleft lip or cleft palate. Give your child a normal life by getting the anomaly treated today. Give us a call at (216) 778-2262 to learn more about cleft lip and palate repair. You can also choose to fill out this online contact form to schedule an appointment.
