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Find out what it means if your baby has a cleft lip and how it is corrected.
The 20-week anatomy scan detected a cleft lip in your baby. What does this mean? When and how is it corrected?
Normally, it’s quite common for a cleft lip to accompany a cleft palate. They are among the most common birth defects. Your baby’s cleft lip and palate could be isolated, or part of a genetic syndrome, sometimes associated with heart conditions. Consult a genetic counselor to rule out any inherited diseases.
The surgeon usually repairs a cleft lip when a child is around 10-12 weeks old, giving them time to get used to feeding and grow strong. The separation in the lip is fixed through a surgical procedure that improves its appearance, structure, and function.
For a cleft palate, reconstruction is typically planned at around 10-12 months. This time frame allows the mouth to grow enough. The area to close and rebuild in the roof of the mouth is tiny in little patients, so time is needed.
Children diagnosed with cleft palate are closely observed for ear infections. It’s important to assess your child’s hearing and for middle ear fluid. Your child may need ear tubes which can be inserted during cleft lip or palate surgery, or in an office setting.
Your child may also be a candidate for nasoalveolar molding to help reduce the gap and reshape the nostrils. Surgery is performed after the molding is complete, usually at around 3-4 months. This can significantly improve your child’s outcomes and minimize their need for additional corrective operations.
