Cleft Lip and Palate Specialists in Tardeo, Mumbai, Maharashtra

What is Cleft Lip and Palate?

Cleft lip and palate are birth defects that occur when the tissues forming the lip or the roof of the mouth do not fuse completely during early fetal development, resulting in a gap or opening that can affect the lip, the palate, or both. They are among the most common congenital facial malformations and can range from a small notch in the lip to a complete separation extending into the nose and palate. Beyond the visible facial difference, affected infants often face challenges with feeding, speech development, dental alignment, and recurrent ear infections, making coordinated, multidisciplinary care important from early infancy.

Causes of Cleft Lip and Palate

Results from incomplete fusion of facial structures during the first trimester of pregnancy, involving a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Risk factors include a family history of cleft lip or palate, maternal smoking or alcohol use during pregnancy, certain maternal medications, folic acid deficiency, and maternal diabetes. In some cases, it occurs as part of a broader genetic syndrome, while in most cases it appears as an isolated finding.

Symptoms of Cleft Lip and Palate

A visible gap or split in the upper lip, an opening in the roof of the mouth connecting the mouth and nasal cavity, difficulty feeding or nursing due to inability to form suction, nasal regurgitation of milk, speech difficulties as the child grows, frequent ear infections, dental irregularities

Treatment & Types of Cleft Lip and Palate in Tardeo, Mumbai, Maharashtra

Treatment involves staged surgical repair, typically beginning with lip repair in early infancy followed by palate repair, performed by a specialized craniofacial surgical team. Ongoing multidisciplinary care including speech therapy, orthodontic treatment, and management of hearing through ear tube placement is often needed through childhood. Additional surgeries may be required later to refine the lip and nose appearance or address bone grafting needs for dental development.

Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery Specialists in Tardeo, Mumbai, Maharashtra (0)

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