9. cleft lip (+ palate) (workbook) Flashcards
why can clefs of the nose, lips or palate occur?
due to failure of fusion between structures of the developing face
how does a cleft lip arise?
from failure of fusion of the medial nasal prominence and maxillary prominence
a cleft palate arises when this occurs
combined with failure of palatal shelves (hard palate) to meet in midline
what is involved in the aetiology of why clefts occur?
genetic and environmental factors
what do the majority of congenital abnormalities tend to involve?
only the upper lip and or palate
how may clefts of the lip (with or without involvement of the palate) be diagnosed?
antenatally during routine scanning (20 week scan) or after delivery
apart from aesthetics, what will a cleft lip and / or palate cause if left uncorrected?
difficulties with feeding and with speech development
what is the incidence of cleft lip and palate?
affects 1/700 babies born and is the most common facial birth defect in the UK
following the baby’s delivery and before discharge from hospital, what will be carried out?
a paediatrician will undertake a neonatal examination - part of it includes feeling the upper part of the newborn’s mouth (hard palate) with a gloved finger to check for the presence of a cleft
how can clefts be corrected?
successfully with surgery
when is surgery to correct clefts carried out?
as soon as possible to minimise the potential impact on the infant
