What is a cleft lip and palate
1.Definition and classification
Cleft lip and palate is a congenital deformity of the oral and facial structures that occurs when a baby is born with a fissure in the upper lip, palate, or both.
Depending on the extent and extent of the fissure, cleft lip and palate can be classified into the following types:
a.Cleft lip: Only the upper lip** is cleft.
b.Cleft palate: only the palate (hard and soft palate) is cleft.
c.Cleft lip and palate: The upper lip cleft extends to the upper nostrils and palate.
2.Incidence and sex differences:
Globally, the incidence of cleft lip and palate is approximately 1-2 per 1000 births.
About 70% of patients with isolated onset and 30% have a family history.
Gender differences: Men are slightly more likely to develop cleft lip and palate than women.
3.Causes:
Multifactorial interactions: The causes of cleft lip and palate are complex and involve the interaction between genetic and environmental factors.
Genetic factors: aMonogenic inheritance: a small number of cases of cleft lip and palate are associated with a single gene mutation, such as van der woude syndrome and Stickler syndrome.
b.Polygenic inheritance: Most cases of cleft lip and palate are associated with a complex inheritance pattern of multiple genes.
Environmental factors: aVitamin deficiencies: Deficiencies in nutrients such as folate, vitamin B12 and vitamin A during pregnancy may increase the risk of cleft lip and palate.
b.Smoking and alcohol abuse: Smoking and excessive alcohol consumption in pregnant women are positively associated with the development of cleft lip and palate.
c.Drugs and chemicals: Certain drugs, alcohol, nicotine, and harmful chemicals can interfere with the development of the embryo, resulting in a cleft lip and palate.
4.Effects and complications:
Cosmetic effects: Cleft lip and palate may have a significant impact on an individual's facial appearance, including aspects such as upper lip line, nose shape, and facial proportions.
Language and hearing problems: Cleft palate can interfere with normal oral articulation and may cause delays in speech and language development, especially with significant effects on speech and speech intelligibility.
Dietary and nutritional issues: Cleft lip may cause difficulty eating, affecting the baby's** or ability to start complementary foods.
Special dietary measures and monitoring may be required to ensure proper nutrient intake.
Psychological and social effects: Cleft lip and palate can have a negative impact on an individual's psychological development and social abilities.
5.Early diagnosis and **:
Early diagnosis of cleft lip and palate is usually based on a physical examination and imaging tests, such as ultrasound and X-rays.
Cleft lip and palate usually requires the collaboration of a multidisciplinary team, including oral and maxillofacial surgeons, otolaryngologists, dentists, speech specialists, etc.
Revision surgery: Surgical repair is the most common method and aims to close the fissure, repair the morphology, and restore function. The timing and method of surgery vary depending on the individual situation, but partial or total lip and palate repair surgery is usually performed at 3-6 months of age.
*Planning: The process may need to include a range of measures such as speech, orthodontic correction, denture restoration, and counseling.
The support and active involvement of families is essential in the ** and care process. Close collaboration with medical professionals and medical staff, as well as individualized protocols, can help patients with cleft lip and palate achieve the best ** and quality of life.
Hopefully, the above comprehensive popular science content has met your needs for understanding cleft lip and palate. If you have any further questions, it is recommended that you consult your doctor or medical professional for personalized answers and guidance. Cleft lip and palate