Facts About Cleft Lip and Cleft Palate Children
- Children may need as many as 7 major surgeries in their life-time.
- Many are malnourished and may die due to not being able to swallow properly.
- Some babies will have to be fed through an IV to survive.
- For many a simple obturator that some parents can’t afford can assist by sealing the palate for better suction.
- It also raises the palate and the nostril on the side of the cleft for better surgical results and thus better speech.
- Beyond the child’s physical suffering, the parents and families struggle through this challenging ordeal for many years.
- CLP parents who do not speak clearly, are more likely yo choose partners who also have CLP therefore increasing the genetic chances for more cleft palate births.
- CLP parents who speak clearly, are more likely to choose partners who do not have CLP therefore decreasing the genetic chances for more cleft palate births.
