The Luskin Orthopaedic Institute for Children (LuskinOIC) Craniofacial and Cleft Palate program employs a top-tier multidisciplinary team, recognized by the American Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association. Working closely with your child’s pediatrician, our goal is to develop a treatment plan using the latest information and state-of-the-art technology for optimal outcomes over the required twenty-year period.

Signs and Symptoms

A cleft lip occurs when the parts of the upper lip do not grow together during development of the baby before it is born. The result is a separation in the upper lip or an opening in the roof of the mouth

At this time, the cause of cleft lip and palate cannot usually be identified. Clefts occur very early in pregnancy and may be the result of a combination of the baby’s genetic information and the environment in which the baby is developing. Cleft lip may be seen on an ultrasound as early as the 16th week of pregnancy, but also may not be diagnosed until after the baby is born. 

Children who are born with only a small separation of the back part of the palate may not be diagnosed immediately at birth. Instead, the cleft may only be identified if the child experiences difficulties with feeding, chronic ear infections, or abnormal speech.

Treatment and Recovery

Cleft lip and palate are the most common birth defects, occurring in 1 out of every 700 children born alive in the United States, but these problems are completely correctable with surgical repairs.

If untreated, the child will have obvious facial deformities, severe speech and language impairments, chronic dental disease, hearing loss because of ear disease, malnutrition and low self-esteem.  Fortunately, with long-term treatment, children can experience no lasting problems.