Cleft Lip/Palate
Cleft Lip/Palate
1. The CDC defines these as birth defects that occur when a baby’s lip and/or mouth do not form properly during pregnancy.
2. Causes listed by Medline include genes from either parent, drugs, viruses, and other toxins. Risk factors from the CDC include smoking, diabetes, and use of certain epilepsy medications like topiramate and valproic acid.
3. Usually, Mayo Clinic says, a cleft is immediately identified at birth through physical assessment, though occasionally submucous cleft is not seen and shows signs like difficulty swallowing, nasal voice, and chronic ear infections.
4. Testing, according to all sources, is a simple physical exam after birth, but is seen more often during ultrasounds.
5. Medline states that treatment
1. The CDC defines these as birth defects that occur when a baby’s lip and/or mouth do not form properly during pregnancy.
2. Causes listed by Medline include genes from either parent, drugs, viruses, and other toxins. Risk factors from the CDC include smoking, diabetes, and use of certain epilepsy medications like topiramate and valproic acid.
3. Usually, Mayo Clinic says, a cleft is immediately identified at birth through physical assessment, though occasionally submucous cleft is not seen and shows signs like difficulty swallowing, nasal voice, and chronic ear infections.
4. Testing, according to all sources, is a simple physical exam after birth, but is seen more often during ultrasounds.
5. Medline states that treatment