Cleft Lip and Mouth Gaps in the Sky

Cleft lip (cleft lip) and openings in the palate (cleft palate) is one common birth defects. Cleft (cleft) is split on the condition of the upper lip, or on the roof of the mouth (palate) or both. Cleft lip and openings in the ceiling is the result of the development of facial structures in an unborn baby does not close completely.

Cleft lip and openings in the ceiling generally occurs as a birth defect, but can also be associated with genetic conditions. In most infants, a series of operations can restore normal function and achieve a normal appearance or aesthetics with scarring or minimal scarring.

Cause

The face and skull of a baby is formed during the first 2 months in the womb. Usually, networks that form the lip and palate will experience a closure. However, in infants with cleft lip or cleft in the palate, fusion (closure) never occur or occurs only partially, thus leaving a hole or gap.

In most infants, found no definitive cause. However, researchers believe that most cases of cleft lip and openings in the ceiling caused by the interaction of genetic and environmental factors.

1. Genetic factors
Either the mother or father can pass on genes that cause a crack or cleft, either as an isolated defect or as part of a syndrome that includes a crack or cleft as one of the signs. In some cases, the baby inherits the gene that makes them more likely to develop into cleft. Then the environment becomes a trigger that causes the cleft occurs.

2. Environmental factors
Fetal exposure to cigarette smoke, alcohol, certain medications, illicit drugs and certain viruses have been associated with the development that cause cleft palate.

Symptom

Typically, a gap in the lip or in the ceiling immediately identifiable at birth. Cleft lip and openings in the ceiling may affect one or both sides of the face. Gap (clefts) can appear only as a small notch in the lip or can extend from the upper lip through the gum and the ceiling to the bottom of the nose.

Cracks that occur in the muscles of the soft palate (soft palate) that is hidden in the back is less common. Because of the hidden, the gap of this type can not be diagnosed as early as possible.

Cleft lip and openings in the ceiling usually appear at birth, and doctors can begin coordination of care at that time. However, the gap in the submucosa can be obscured by the lining of the mouth and are not diagnosed until later when signs and symptoms develop.

The signs and symptoms, among others:
1. Some babies with cleft lip or cleft palate to experience problems at mealtime.
2. Gassiness and excessive regurgitation of the nose.

Treatment

Treatment gap in cleft lip and palate requires a comprehensive plan from birth to adulthood, such as reconstruction often involves a series of operations when the child grows. A team of specialists is needed because these conditions often affect other areas of child health.

Team of specialists, can be composed by:

1. Pediatrician
2. Plastic surgeon
3. Oral surgeon
4. Child specialist dentist
5. Orthodontics
6. ENT specialist (otolaryngologist)
7. Auditory or hearing specialist

The goal of treatment is to ensure the child's ability to be able to eat, speak, hear and breathe and to achieve aesthetic facial appearance or normal. Treatment involves surgery to correct defects and therapy to improve related conditions.

Operation

Surgery to repair cleft lips and openings in the ceiling is based on certain defects. After the initial repair cracks, the doctor may recommend follow-up surgery to improve the ability to speak or improve appearance or aesthetics of the lips and nose. The operation is usually performed in this order:
1. Repair cleft lip
When the age of 10 weeks-3 months
2. Repair cracks in ceilings
When the age of 6-18 months
3. Follow-up postoperative
When the age of 2 years-late teens