Cleft Lip In Your Baby - Causes, Symptoms & Treatments

Have you ever noticed a baby or a child with a cleft? A cleft is an abnormality of the lip, wherein the roof of the mouth does not close completely, leaving it open, stretched up to the nose. Cleft lip and cleft palate and birth abnormalities of the mouth and lip and babies born with this condition are otherwise healthy in nature. If you still haven’t understood the concept completely, then let’s take a look in depth.

What Is Cleft Lip In A Baby?

Cleft lip is a condition wherein the lip doesn’t form completely during the foetal development. The degree of the cleft lip can vary greatly, from mild (notching of the lip) to severe (large opening from the lip up through the nose).

What Is Cleft Palate In A Baby?

Cleft palate occurs when the roof of the mouth does not close completely, leaving an opening that can extend in to the nasal cavity. The cleft may involve either side of the palate and can extend from the front of the mouth (hard palate) to the throat (soft palate), while also including the lip. As it is situated inside the mouth, cleft palate will not be as noticeable as cleft lip.

There are different types of cleft lip that occurs. A cleft on one side of the lip that does not extend into the nose is called unilateral incomplete. A cleft on one side of the lip that extends into the nose is called unilateral complete. A cleft that involves both sides of the lip and extends into and involves the nose is called bilateral complete.

Cleft Lip Causes In A Baby

The cause of a cleft lip in a baby has not been understood completely, as it is caused by multiple genes inherited from both parents, as well as certain environmental factors. When genes have an active role to play, the chances of having a cleft lip in your child increase four fold.

Symptoms Of Cleft Lip And Cleft Palate In A Baby

The symptoms of a cleft lip and a cleft palate are visible in a child. There is incomplete closure of the lip, the roof of the mouth or both. This makes it difficult for a baby to eat or drink. These are the signs of cleft lip in a baby that you can look out for.

The Various Complications Associated With A Cleft Lip And A Cleft Palate

1. Feeding troubles:

   The infant affected with this abnormality will find it tough to suck milk properly since the roof of the mouth has not been formed completely

2. Ear infections and hearing loss:

   Ear infections are often due to a dysfunction of the tube that connects the middle ear and the throat. Recurrent infections can then lead to hearing loss

3. Speech and language delay:

   Delay in speech or abnormal speech can take place due to the opening of the roof of the mouth or lip, leading to decrease in muscle function

4. Dental problems:

   The abnormalities will make it tough for the teeth to erupt normally, causing orthodontic treatment an emergency

Also Read: Diarrhoea In Babies – Causes, Symptoms, Treatment and Prevention

Cleft Lip Treatment

A cleft lip repair or a cleft palate treatment usually involves surgery, which can be done when the child is between 6 to 18 months of age. In case of a cleft lip, the aim is to fix the separation of the lip. While in the case of a cleft palate, the aim is to fix the roof of the mouth so the child can eat and drink easily and talk normally.

• After the surgery of the cleft lip: Your child may be irritable and the doctor will prescribe medications for the same. The stitches will dissolve automatically, however the scar will only fade with time but not go away completely. Your child will have an intravenous catheter (IV) to provide fluids until he/she is able to drink by mouth. Your child's upper lip and nose will have stitches where the cleft lip was repaired and hence it is normal to have swelling, bruising, and blood around these stitches
• After the surgery of the cleft palate: As a result of the pain and the location of the surgery, your child may not eat and drink as usual. An intravenous (IV) catheter will be used to help give your child fluids until he/she can drink adequately. The stitches will dissolve but might not fade away completely, leaving the scars behind. There may be some blood coming out of the nose and mouth, which will reduce over a few days. The swelling will reduce with time. Many infants show signs of nasal congestion after surgery. These signs may include nasal snorting, mouth breathing, and decreased appetite and hence your child's doctor may prescribe medication to relieve the nasal congestion

Here Are Some Tips That You Can Consider For Cleft Lip Prevention In Your Baby-

• Assure your immunizations are up-to-date prior to getting pregnant
• Eat properly and take your supplements on time as suggested by your doctor
• Seek measures to reduce your risk of infections during pregnancy
• Avoid taking any medications without any approval from your doctor
• Avoid smoking and drinking at all costs
• Do not allow yourself to be surrounded by people with infectious diseases such as chickenpox and so on

Note down these measures that will help prevent your child from forming a cleft lip or a cleft palate. If you see signs of a cleft lip or a cleft palate in your infant, seek medical intervention at the quickest.

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