The following
is a list of expectation for a child born with a cleft palate only.
Although each child is unique, this is intended to give a general
idea of what to expect:
- An infant
with a cleft palate only usually must be bottle-fed (with breast
milk or formula) using special nipples.
- A hearing
test is recommended , and ventilation tubes are usually placed
in the ears at the time of palate surgery to reduce the risk of
ear infections. Ear infections are more common for a child with
a cleft palate.
- An eye examination
is usually recommended because associated eye anomalies are not
unusual.
- Palate surgery
will take place around 10 months of age or when the child begins
to make sounds of speech.
- Surgery usually
takes about 2-3 hours and the infant remains in the hospital one
or two nights.
- Orthodontic
treatment (braces) is usually necessary in early adolescence.
- We expect
normal speech after cleft palate repair. In some cases speech
therapy is necessary or a second palate surgery is needed.
- A child with
a cleft palate may encounter social and emotional challenges unique
to this condition. Support organizations and resources are available
for children and their families (see Support
Information).
