Cleft lip and cleft palate are conditions that affect the lips and mouths of many children. Clefts are unusual openings from bones and soft tissues not forming properly, typically in early pregnancy. A split in the upper lip is called cleft lip, and an opening in the roof of the mouth is called cleft palate. Cleft lip and palate can occur on one or both sides of the lip or mouth. Babies can have a cleft lip, a cleft palate, or both.
Why clefts form is not fully understood, though research suggests they can result from a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Risk factors may include:
What are some of the signs of cleft lip and cleft palate?
In some cases, a baby may have a submucousal cleft palate, which is frequently hard to see. The split occurs in the muscles of the soft palate, with the mouth’s lining, covering the cleft. Signs and symptoms of a submucousal cleft palate include:
Doctors usually see cleft lip and palate before birth, often as early as 14 weeks, using 3D ultrasound. Diagnosing a cleft lip or cleft palate prior to birth allows Dr. Mehra to help families coordinate care for their baby before delivery, making the post partum time less stressful for all involved. Families may also be referred to a genetics counselor for consultation and evalutaion. Dr. Mehra and his team will also connect families with feeding and oral-motor specialitsts to meet your baby’s feeding needs before and after corrective surgery.
Cleft lip and palate can cause challenges because of unusual bone and tissue development in the mouth. Repairs can ease these issues but may not completely resolve them. As your child gets older, specialists at Advocate Children’s Hospital can provide ongoing care. Your child may need treatment and therapies for challenges such as:
Treatment for clefts includes surgery to close the opening and improve your child’s ability to speak, eat and swallow. Therapies to help your child eat, speak and hear well are also provided.
We coordinate your child’s treatment with pediatric craniofacial and plastic surgeons who specialize in cleft lip and cleft palate repair. Surgical intervention is typically recommended at specific ages:
Some children may need surgery to place tubes in their ears that help prevent fluid from building up in the ears, reduing the risk of hearing loss. At our pediatric Cleft and CraniofacialClinic, surgeons, speech-language pathologists, audiologists and other providers offer specialized surgical and non surgical supportive interventions.
Pediatric specialists at Advocate Children’s Hospital offer therapies and services that include:
While receiving a diagnosis of cleft lip and/or palate can feel overwhelming, Dr. Mehra and his experienced team are here to guide and support you every step of the way. From diagnosis through delivery and beyond, we provide expert care tailored to your baby’s needs—including dedicated support for both breastfeeding and bottle-feeding mothers—to help your family feel confident and cared for throughout the journey.
