What is Cleft Lip & Palate?
Cleft Lip and Cleft Palate are congenital conditions that occur when parts of the lip and/or roof of the mouth do not fully develop during pregnancy. Children with cleft conditions may experience difficulties with feeding, speech development, hearing, and oral resonance. With appropriate medical management and speech-language intervention, most children can develop effective communication skills and achieve positive outcomes.
Signs & Symptoms
- Visible opening in the lip and/or palate
• Feeding difficulties during infancy
• Milk escaping through the nose during feeding
• Delayed speech development
• Hypernasal speech (excessive nasal sound)
• Difficulty producing certain speech sounds
• Frequent ear infections
Causes & Risk Factors
- Genetic factors and family history
• Differences in fetal development during pregnancy
• Certain maternal health conditions during pregnancy
• Environmental factors affecting prenatal development
• Combination of genetic and environmental influences
Treatment & Intervention
- Surgical repair by a cleft team
• Feeding support and intervention
• Speech-Language Therapy
• Resonance and articulation therapy
• Hearing monitoring and management
• Multidisciplinary cleft care services
💙 Early support can make a lifelong difference. Schedule an appointment with Speakachoo today.