Understanding Cleft Lip and Palate Disorders

Cleft Lip/Palate (CL/P)

An elongated opening in the lip or palate.

Craniofacial Abnormality

Involvement of skull and facial tissue features.

Unilateral Cleft Lip

Cleft affecting one side of the lip.

Bilateral Cleft Lip

Cleft affecting both sides of the lip.

Complete Cleft Lip

Cleft extending into the nostrils.

Incomplete Cleft Lip

Cleft only on the lip, nostrils intact.

Microform Cleft

Small indentation or notch in the lip.

Cleft Palate

Palate defect, not visible externally.

Complete Cleft Palate

Involves the nostrils in the cleft.

Incomplete Cleft Palate

Cleft not involving the nostrils.

Submucous Cleft Palate

Mucosal lining intact, bony cleft present.

Bifid Uvula

Split uvula often seen in cleft palate.

Etiologies of CL/P

Caused by genetic and environmental factors.

Genetic Disorders

Associated with over 300 genetic conditions.

Apert Syndrome

Early fusion of skull bones.

Velocardiofacial Syndrome

Deletion of gene 22q causing multiple issues.

Feeding Challenges

Suction difficulties due to cleft openings.

Conductive Hearing Loss

Insufficient sound transmission to cochlea.

Velopharyngeal Inadequacy

Improper closure causing hypernasal speech.

Nasal Emissions

Air escapes through the nose during speech.

Articulation Disorders

Consonant production affected by nasal cavity.

Surgical Management

Involves a multidisciplinary cleft palate team.

Rule of 10

Criteria for surgical readiness: 10 weeks, 10 lbs, 10 g hemoglobin.

Multicultural Considerations

Incidence varies by race; cultural beliefs matter.