Page 2 - Celtlippalate
P. 2
What is cleft lip and palate?
Cleft lip and cleft palate are facial and oral
malformations that occur while the baby is developing
inside the mother's womb. Cleft occurs when there is
insufcient tissue in the mouth or lip area due to which
the structures fail to join (seal) properly.
Cleft lip and/or palate can occur separately or together
giving it 3 different types: cleft lip without cleft palate,
cleft-palate without cleft lip, or both together
Associated problems with cleft lip/
palate
Ÿ Difculty in feeding the child
Ÿ Difculty in eating and swallowing
Ÿ Frequent ear discharge or ear infections
Ÿ Dental problems-often have missing, extra,
malformed, or displaced teeth
Ÿ Delay in speech and language development
Ÿ Speech is unclear and consists of nasal air
emissions (air escaping through nose while
speaking)