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A cleft palate or cleft lip is one of the most common birth defects that can occur in a child. And while they may feel scary and overwhelming at first, remember it’s a highly treatable condition that can be corrected with surgery. Most children with facial clefts have no other birth defects and can expect to lead happy, healthy and full lives.
The Cleft Palate Team at Orlando Health Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children provides comprehensive, state-of-the-art care for children born with cleft palate that is aligned with the American Cleft Palate/Craniofacial Association Parameters of Care. Your child’s highly skilled, multidisciplinary team will include craniomaxillofacial surgeons, ENT surgeons, speech and language pathologists, orthodontists, geneticists and social workers. Further pediatric subspecialists such as pediatric neurosurgery and pediatric ophthalmology are available when needed.
Do you have questions about cleft palate surgery? We have answers! Below we’ve complied some of your most frequently asked questions.
A facial cleft is a problem in the development of the face or mouth that occurs while a child is still developing in the womb. The most common clefts happen when the parts of the upper lip and jaw or roof of the mouth fail to connect and leave a gap. This can result in a complete separation or only a partial one. A child can be born with a cleft of the lip, a cleft of the palate or both at the same time. And since this occurs very early in development, sometimes a cleft can be seen on a prenatal ultrasound.
Most children with clefts of the lip and/or palate will grow to reach their full potential. Your child’s cleft care will be coordinated through the cleft palate team with visits about once per year. Surgical care for structural defects at the lip and nose, jaw or palate are most often performed in stages based on your child’s growth and development. Speech and language therapy or orthodontic therapy are frequently required, as are regular dental and hearing care.
Contact Orlando Health Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children and Orlando Health Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women & Babies Cleft Palate Team at (407) 839-8407.
