FREE ESSAY ON CLEFT LIP AND PALATE

CLEFT LIP AND PALATE

Cleft Lip and Palate are facial birth defects. A cleft lip affects the upper lip, ranging
from a notch to a complete fissure extending into the nose. A cleft palate affects the
roof of the mouth, with a groove that may extend through the dental arch. These
abnormalities may occur separately or together.
Cleft lip and palate are facial malformations that may occur separately or together. They
may also occur in association with other syndromes or birth defects. The separation of
the lip can vary from a small notch to a complete separation extending into the nose. The
cause of these malformations may be mutant genes or teratogens. Teratogen's are agent
that cause abnormalities in a developing fetus such as certain viruses or chemicals. As
well as being disfiguring, these abnormalities can cause feeding difficulties and
problems with speech development. Risk factors are a family history of cleft lip or
palate and presence of another birth defect. The incidence of cleft lip and palate varies
with different races; approximately 1 out of 1,000 Caucasians are affected. The incidence
of cleft palate alone is 1 out of 2,500 people, not that rare of an occurrence.
There is no proven way to prevent this defect. Physical examination of the mouth, nose
and palate confirms the presence of cleft lip or cleft palate. Diagnostic testing may be
performed to determine or rule out the presence of other abnormalities. Symptoms of this
defect include: separation of the lip, separation of the palate, separation of both,
and/or varying amounts of nasal distortion. Treatment of cleft lip and palate involves
several specialties including plastic surgeons, orthodontics, speech therapists and
others. Treatment may extend over a period of several years. Surgery to close the cleft
lip usually performed at 1 or 2 months of age. Later surgery may be needed if there is
extensive nasal involvement. Since cleft palate is usually diagnosed at birth, it can
usually be closed within the first year of life to enhance normal speech development.
Until surgery, a prosthetic device is often fitted over the palate for feeding. Although
treatment may extend over several years and require several surgeries depending upon the
involvement, most children affected by this disorder can achieve normal appearance,
speech, and eating and will gain social confidence not worrying about kids teasing them.
For some, speech problems may continue. Some complications that may occur are recurrent
ear infections, hearing loss, dental cavities, and displaced teeth speech defects.
Although it is considered an abnormality, it shouldn't be thought of as a disability. But
the effects and problems that may occur because of this defect should not be ignored or
neglected, such as speech impairment. Parents of the child need not feel responsible for
their child's disorder, there is no known preventive measure. Some parents decide that
their child's disorder does not need to be repaired, but it would only benefit the child
when they grow older, both in a physical aspect and in the emotional aspect because the
world is cruel and not very accepting of those that are different from the majority.
Bibliography
1.Better Homes and Gardens Family Medical Guide
2.Funk and Wangalls Encyclopedia
3.Microsoft Encarta98 Encyclopedia
4.www.healthhelp.com
5.Cleft Lip and Palate Parent's Guide, By J.R. Thompkins