Generality
Cleft lip and palate is a congenital malformation of the mouth, characterized by the simultaneous presence of the cleft lip and cleft palate.
The cleft lip is an "anomaly of the mouth characterized by the presence of one or two cracks on the upper lip; the cleft palate, on the other hand, is an" anomaly of the palate, which manifests itself with a crack along the soft palate and / or on the hard palate.
The precise causes of cleft lip and palate are unknown. According to the most reliable hypotheses, the condition would be due to a combination of genetic and environmental factors.
The presence of cleft lip and palate can lead to difficulties in sucking breast milk and eating, speech problems, dental problems and a predisposition to otitis of the middle ear.
Cleft lip and palate is a malformation that is difficult to identify before birth. His diagnosis at birth, on the other hand, is practically immediate and requires a simple physical examination.
Cleft lip and palate is currently a treatable condition with excellent results. The main treatment is surgical and consists in closing the cracks present on the upper lip and palate.
What is cleft lip and palate?
Cleft lip and palate is a congenital malformation, belonging to the category of orofacial clefts. It is characterized by the simultaneous presence of the so-called cleft lip and the so-called cleft palate.
Cleft lip, also known as cleft lip or cleft lip, is a malformation of the mouth that occurs with one or two characteristic cracks in the upper lip, sometimes extending to the floor of the nasal nostrils.
Cleft palate, on the other hand, is a malformation of the palate that presents with a characteristic crack in the soft and / or hard palate, sometimes connected to the nasal cavities.
Therefore, those born with cleft lip and palate have one or two cracks on the upper lip, which can also affect the skin space under the nose, and a crack on the palate, which can be so deep that it also affects the nasal cavities.
