Cleft Lip

Treated by Our Craniofacial & Cleft Center

What is cleft lip?

Clefts of the lip and palate are one of the most common  congenital anomalies in children. They occur in approximately one in 700 births.

Cleft lip and palate result from the incomplete  closure of the upper lip and roof of the mouth. This causes a gap or defect to occur in the affected area, involving skin, muscle and oral lining. There is often an associated deformity of the nose on the affected side.

A cleft lip can be on one (unilateral) or both (bilateral) sides of the upper lip. This can occur alone or in association with a cleft palate. Similarly,  a cleft palate may occur in isolation, without a corresponding deformity of the upper lip.

There are several types and severities of cleft lip:

• Forme fruste unilateral cleft lip: a subtle cleft on one side of the upper lip, which may appear as a small indentation
• Incomplete unilateral cleft lip: a cleft on one side of the upper lip, which does not extend into the nose
• Complete  unilateral cleft lip: a cleft on one side of the upper lip, which extends into the nose
• Incomplete  bilateral cleft lip: clefts on both sides of the upper lip, not extending to the nose
• Complete  bilateral cleft lip: clefts on both sides of the upper lip, extending into the nose

Before	After
Before	After
Before	After
Before	After
Before	After
Before	After

What causes cleft lip?

Various familial and environmental factors may contribute to clefting. In the majority of new patients we see, there is no family history of clefts.

Most infants with cleft lip and/or palate are healthy children who have no other birth anomalies. However, children with clefts may sometimes have other medical problems. A geneticist examines all infants in our Craniofacial and Cleft Center and discusses with each family the chances of having another infant with a cleft.

How is cleft lip treated?

The goal of surgical repair of cleft lips is to restore the normal appearance and muscular anatomy of the upper lip. This is done typically between one and six months of age.

Cleft lip, and especially cleft lip and palate, are associated with sucking and swallowing difficulties. Affected infants need to be followed closely to ensure adequate weight gain. Multiple ear infections, often with resulting hearing loss, are not uncommon, and the presence of fever needs to be evaluated for possible inflammation of the middle ear. Difficulty with speech articulation is common and may necessitate speech therapy.

Before and After Pictures

 For more information, please see the Craniofacial and Cleft Center.