Cleft Palate & Cleft Lip
Andrew Weber
What is Cleft Palate?
A cleft palate is when a baby's mouth or lip does not form properly. I happens when the mouth and/or lip tissue do not fuse together properly. Doctors can usually see it before the baby is born. To see they use ultra-sound.
Causes & Complications
- when a baby's mouth or lip tissue doesn't fuse right
- difficulty feeding, ear infections, dental problems, speech difficulty
Testing & Treatment
- ultra-sound shows if the baby is going to have a cleft lip or palate
- surgery to repair the defect usually done as soon as possible
Preventions & Life Outlook
- take prenatal vitamins
- do not use tobacco or alcohol
Work Citied
- mayoclinic.com
- MedlinePlus.com