CLEFT LIP AND PALATE: CAUSES AND TREATMENTS

Cleft lip and palate (cleft lip - cleft palate) is a birth defect with the highest incidence in the maxillofacial region, and is the second most common birth defect globally. In Vietnam, 1 in 500 newborns will suffer from this defect. This deformity changes the anatomical structure and aesthetic appearance of the face, causing eating, respiratory and pronunciation disorders, affecting the psychology of the child and his family in integrating into the community. Discovering that a child has a cleft palate often makes parents feel very sad, confused and worried about their child's future.
However, this is a completely treatable disease. If given the right advice and treatment at the right time, most children will have functional recovery and facial aesthetics guaranteed. affects the child's aesthetics, eating and pronunciation functions. This article will provide detailed information about this condition, including causes, effects, treatment, and prevention.

1. Concepts:

Cleft palate is a condition in which the lip or roof of the mouth (roof of the mouth) does not fuse completely, leading to a gap. The cleft can occur on one or both sides of the lip, the roof of the mouth, or both.

The process of cleft lip and palate formation occurs during the fetal period when the facial anatomical structures from both sides do not fuse together completely. Cleft lip and palate is the most common birth defect of the face. This is a simple disease or part of a certain genetic syndrome or disorder.

2. Process of cleft lip and palate formation

Facial morphology is formed between weeks 4-10 of pregnancy. This morphology is the result of the fusion of the frontonasal ridge in the midline with three pairs of ridges on both sides: the maxillary, lateral nasal and mandibular ridges.

Illustration of the facial formation process during fetal life. (according to khehomoivom.com.vn)

3. Causes of Increased Risk of Children Having Cleft Lip and Palate

Scientists point out that there are a number of risk factors that increase the likelihood of developing a cleft lip and palate, including:

• Genetic factors: If parents or relatives have cleft lip and palate, the child is at higher risk of developing the disease.
• Environmental factors: Exposure to some toxic substances during pregnancy such as cigarettes, alcohol, drugs, X-rays,... can increase the risk of birth defects, including cleft lip and palate.
• Nutritional deficiencies: Pregnant mothers are deficient in folic acid, vitamin B12, or other essential nutrients that can increase the risk of fetal defects.

4. Effects of Cleft Lip and Palate on Health and Quality of Life

• Aesthetics: Cleft lip and palate affects the child's appearance, causing self-esteem and difficulty in communication.
• Eating function: Children may have difficulty sucking and swallowing, leading to developmental delays.
• Pronunciation: Cleft palate can affect a child's ability to pronounce, causing him or her to speak with a lisp.
• Infection: Children are at high risk of ear, nose, and throat infections because gaps allow bacteria to enter.

5. Treatment Process:

​Up to now, children with this defect have often been treated mainly with surgery. However, surgery alone is not enough, it requires the coordination of many specialties including: pediatrics, nutrition, ENT, maxillofacial, language specialists, psychologists and most importantly, patience. rings of parents and relatives.

This treatment team will examine the child together, then discuss together to give an overall view of the condition and coordinate to create a comprehensive treatment plan for cleft lip and palate for each stage of the child's development.

6. Prevention:

• Prenatal health check: Helps detect potential risks early and take appropriate preventive measures.
• Supplement folic acid: Pregnant mothers should supplement folic acid before and during pregnancy to reduce the risk of birth defects, including cleft lip and palate.
• Avoid exposure to toxic substances: Pregnant mothers should avoid exposure to cigarettes, alcohol, drugs, X-rays,... during pregnancy.
• Reasonable nutrition: Pregnant mothers should have a reasonable diet full of nutrients to provide the best development for the fetus.
• Consult specifically with experts for guidance on how to take good care of your child both before and after birth.

Children with cleft palate is something no one wants. Parents should not blame themselves but should focus their energy on caring for and supporting their children. The care and treatment of children with cleft lip and palate is a long process with many challenges, but with the companionship of doctors, especially the love of parents, children will soon be able to restore function and aesthetics. beautiful face, to develop like many friends of the same age.

With the desire to bring maximum perfection to children, My Thien Hospital is a TRUSTED place to treat cleft lip and palate. At My Thien Hospital, the staff hopes that parents will always have enough necessary and useful knowledge to best care for their babies.

Please connect with My Thien to receive timely advice and treatment from doctors at the right stage and age to minimize the consequences caused by deformities. For more enqueries, please contact us by phone at (028) 6650 5188 or via Hotline 0915 22 66 03.