What Causes Cleft Lip and Palate?
What exactly causes cleft lip and palate condition is still not known. However, this particular deformity is most believed to be caused by any of these three main factors. Cleft deformity can be an inherited gene; a characteristic acquired either from one or both parents. Other causes are due to unhealthy pregnancy. Women getting pregnant at an early age, living in a poor environment exposed to several toxic elements such as cocaine and alcohol can give birth to babies with these types of deformities. And lastly, it can be caused by genetic syndromes such as Pierre Robin, Down and Waardenburg syndromes.
Syndromes are recognizable patterns of malformation and deformities as the result of gene abnormalities on the chromosomes found in our body. There are 400 syndromes and maybe even more associated as a part of the deformity. Thirty percent of these deformities are associated with a specific genetic syndrome. Genetic counseling and thorough medical evaluations are recommended for affected patients.
It is generally visible during the first examination of babies affected by such deformity. However, an exception is applied when the palate, undetected remains covered by a smooth and an unbroken lining inside the mouth. This exception is referred to a submucous cleft.
Children with these types of deformities are often referred to an early treatment performed by a team of multidisciplinary experts. Multidisciplinary team of experts may include an oral surgeon, plastic surgeon, otolaryngologist, pediatric dentist, audiologist, speech pathologist, pediatrician, geneticist, nutritionist and a social worker.
Common complications associated with cleft conditions vary depending on the location and the degree of the deformity. A child affected with these deformities may experience some of the known complications associated with this condition, some may even experience all of them. These complications hinder daily normal function of children affected by this condition.
The complications of the condition include feeding problems, breathing difficulty, language and speech delays, as well as hearing loss and ear infections. Dental problem related to its deformities, affects jaw alignment and the proper development of the teeth.
The treatment involved with cleft lip, cleft palate or both in one condition are highly considered as an individual matter. It all depends on factors related to the child's health, location of the cleft and the severity of the condition. The necessity of multiple surgeries, varieties of significant treatment and long-term consultation and follow-ups to achieve success is very important.
Does insurance cover cleft lip
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