Cleft palate and cleft lip are two of the most common birth defects. Approximately 1 in 500 babies are born with a cleft palate, sometimes accompanied by a cleft lip, and the number appears to be increasing over the years. Cleft palate is nearly twice as common in boys than in girls.
Cleft palate and cleft lip are two of the most common birth defects. Approximately 1 in 500 babies are born with a cleft palate, sometimes accompanied by a cleft lip, and the number appears to be increasing over the years. Cleft palate is nearly twice as common in boys than in girls.
Cleft palate can be passed genetically from generation to generation, or it can stem from nutritional deficiencies (folate deficiency, especially) or environmental factors in the early stages of pregnancy. Thankfully, cleft palate and cleft lip are both treatable in the majority of cases through surgery.
Surgery is medically necessary. In most cases, it is imperative to repair the cleft palate (and cleft lip, if both are present) because it can create problems with feeding, speech, hearing loss, and even your child’s general health. Children with cleft palate are prone to frequent and painful ear infections, for example. Surgery can be life-changing for children with a cleft palate. In most cases, it allows children to restore full function and grow normally.
Cleft palate and cleft lip should be treated as early as possible, though not immediately following birth in most cases. If your child has a cleft lip, this will often be treated first in surgery, called cheiloplasty, at around 3 months of age. Between 6-18 months of age, your child’s cleft palate can be repaired through surgery called palatoplasty. Many baby face children we treat are much older as treatment was either not available or too expensive. We take applications at any age.
We know that, for parents, the thought of their small child facing surgery is worrisome. We want to reassure you that we have some of the nation’s leading surgeons at Little Baby Face Foundation, and we have had incredible success in helping hundreds of families with cleft palate and cleft lip. To get started or for more information, please fill out the form below.
Surgery is medically necessary. In most cases, it is imperative to repair the cleft palate (and cleft lip, if both are present) because it can create problems with feeding, speech, hearing loss, and even your child’s general health. Children with cleft palate are prone to frequent and painful ear infections, for example. Surgery can be life-changing for children with a cleft palate. In most cases, it allows children to restore full function and grow normally.
Cleft palate and cleft lip should be treated as early as possible, though not immediately following birth in most cases. If your child has a cleft lip, this will often be treated first in surgery, called cheiloplasty, at around 3 months of age. Between 6-18 months of age, your child’s cleft palate can be repaired through surgery called palatoplasty. Many baby face children we treat are much older as treatment was either not available or too expensive. We take applications at any age.
We know that, for parents, the thought of their small child facing surgery is worrisome. We want to reassure you that we have some of the nation’s leading surgeons at Little Baby Face Foundation, and we have had incredible success in helping hundreds of families with cleft palate and cleft lip. To get started or for more information, please fill out the form below.
WARNING
This gallery contains graphic images that some viewers sensitive to surgery & blood may find disturbing.
If you’re new to this and wondering where to start, please complete the form below so we can get you on the right path. You’re not alone in this, and help is here for you whenever you’re ready.
If you’re new to this and wondering where to start, please complete the form below so we can get you on the right path. You’re not alone in this, and help is here for you whenever you’re ready.