Cleft Lip/Cleft Palate Flashcards
On assessment of a kiddo with cleft palate, you may notice…
-respiratory distress with feeds
-lack of seal around nipple with feeding (breast or bottle)
-abdominal distention due to swallowed air
Long-term complications of cleft lip/cleft palate…
-speech impairment
-improper teeth alignment
-hearing loss
-recurrent otitis media due to lack of function of Eustachian tubes; the muscles that make up the palate of the mouth are important in allowing air and fluid to drain from the inner ear)
The national standard for having surgery on a cleft lip is (age and pounds)…
10 weeks of age and 10 pounds
Postoperatively in a cleft lip/cleft palate, the family will be directed to put the child to sleep in what position?
After a cleft lip/palate procedure, the family will be instructed to have the child sleep in an infant seat. this is a deviation from safe sleep practices but is to help reduce aspiration/open airway postoperatively
