July is National Cleft Palate & Craniofacial Awareness& Prevention Month!

What are craniofacial disorders?  The most common craniofacial disorders are cleft lip and cleft palate which are birth defects that occur when a baby’s lip or mouth does not form properly during pregnancy. Together, these birth defects are also known as “orofacial clefts”. 

What is a cleft lip? As a baby develops during a mother’s pregnancy body tissue and special cells from each side of the head grow toward the center of the face and join together to make the face. A cleft lip occurs if the tissue that makes up the lip does not join completely before birth.

What is a cleft palate? The roof of the mouth (palate) is formed between the sixth and ninth weeks of pregnancy. A cleft palate occurs if the tissue that makes up the roof of the mouth does not join together completely during pregnancy. For some babies, both the front and back parts of the palate are open. For other babies, only part of the palate is open.

What is the treatment for cleft lip and cleft palate? Surgery to repair a cleft lip usually occurs in the first few months of life and is recommended within the first 12 months of life. Surgery to repair a cleft palate is recommended within the first 18 months of life or earlier if possible.  Many children will need additional surgical procedures as they get older. Surgical repair can improve the look and appearance of a child’s face and might also improve breathing, hearing, and speech and language development. Children born with orofacial clefts might need other types of treatments and services, such as special dental, orthodontic care or speech therapy.  

More information can be found at the link below:

What cause cleft lip and cleft palate? The cause is not known at this time. However the cause is thought to be linked to:

• Tobacco smoking during pregnancy  
• Use of certain medicines: women who used certain medicines to treat epilepsy, such as topiramate or valproic acid, during the first 3 months of pregnancy may have an increased risk of having a baby with cleft lip and/or a cleft palate, compared to women who didn’t take these medicines.

• CDC Cleft Lip Cleft Palate Craniofacial Facts