Cleft Lip & Palate

Developmental abnormalities of the face are relatively common and can occur in isolation or form part of a syndrome.

With advanced technology, some of these conditions can be diagnosed already during pregnancy and appropriate referrals made before the baby is even born.

Common developmental abnormalities can cause clefts of the lip, tooth bearing bone (alveolus), hard palate, soft palate or a combination of these. These conditions may affect the appearance of the child and/or the functionality, for example breathing, speech and swallowing. These children are best managed by a multidisciplinary team and surgeries are usually carried out in a staged approach throughout childhood to correct defects as required.