Cleft lip and Cleft
palate is the 4th most frequent birth defect in the U.S.
They can
affect 1 out of every 700 newborns. Over 5,000 babies are born each year
with this congenital condition.
A cleft lip is a separation of two
sides of the lip.....the separation often includes bones of the upper jaw
or gum.
A cleft palate is an opening in the roof of the mouth where the
two sides of the roof did not join together as the baby was forming
in utero.
Cleft lip and palate can occur on 1 side ( unilateral
cleft lip /or palate) or on both sides
( bi-lateral cleft lip /or
palate). Because the lip and the palate form seperatly it is possible to
have a cleft lip, a cleft palate, or a cleft lip and palate.
This birth
defect occurs very early in pregnancy. The majority of clefts appear to be
due to a combination of genetic and environmental factors.
A
child born with a cleft frequently requires several different types of
services. Such as surgery, dental/orthodontic care, or speech
therapy, all of which need to be provided in a coordinaterd manner over a
period of years. |
