Are there other problems that occur commonly with cleft lip and/or palate?
Some children with a cleft will have another congenital anomaly or birth defect. The most commonly associated problems include cardiac abnormalities (heart problems), central nervous system (brain, spinal cord) problems and club foot. It is important for the baby with a cleft to be carefully evaluated by the pediatrician and other specialists on the cleft treatment team to determine whether any associated problems exist. In some cases, the cleft is part of a syndrome, or collection of abnormalities that affect different areas of the body; these syndromes often have a genetic basis. Syndromes are more common in children with isolated cleft palate than in children with cleft lip-and-palate. What is the treatment for babies with clefts? While every patient is treated individually, with treatment plans made specifically for him or her, some generalizations are possible. Babies with cleft lip and palate will have multiple surgeries during their infancy, childhood and adolescence. Depending
