Living with Cleft lip/palate
A condition present from birth where the upper lip, gum ridge, and roof of the mouth have a gap.
Understanding Cleft lip/palate
GARD lists onset in the newborn period and infancy. Babies may have trouble feeding, and speech can be delayed.
Signs & symptoms
Symptoms vary from person to person. GARD lists these among the most common:
- Gap in the lip and roof of the mouth
- Feeding trouble in infancy and poor suck
- Trouble swallowing
- Delayed speech and language
- Differences in how teeth come in
- Hearing differences, in some
Not everyone has every symptom. GARD's list comes from the Human Phenotype Ontology.
Diagnosis
- 1Talk with your doctor
Share the symptoms you've noticed, when they started and your family health history. Notes and photos can help.
- 2See a specialist
Specialists who may be involved include ear, nose, and throat specialists.
- 3Ask which tests can help
Your care team will decide which exams and tests can confirm the diagnosis.
- 4Connect with expert centers
American Cleft Palate Craniofacial Association and World Craniofacial Foundation may keep lists of experts for this condition.
Care & treatment
- Care team
- Ear, nose, and throat specialists (otolaryngologists)
- Expert care
- Expert lists: American Cleft Palate Craniofacial Association, World Craniofacial Foundation
- Treatment
- GARD doesn't list specific treatments for this condition. Your care team will tailor care to your symptoms.
- Research
- Clinical trials and observational studies may be options. See the research section below.
General information, not medical advice. Your care team makes the decisions.
Everyday life
Living with a rare condition is easier with support.
- Connect with American Cleft Palate Craniofacial Association and other patient organizations
- Keep notes on symptoms, changes and questions for appointments
- Ask about patient registries that help research
- Look into financial aid and travel resources for care visits
Quick facts
GARD doesn't describe a cause for this condition yet.
Also known as: alveolar cleft lip and palate; cleft lip and palate; cleft lip-alveolus-palate syndrome; cleft palate and lip; cleft palate with cleft lip; flp
Patient organizations
- American Cleft Palate Craniofacial AssociationCleft lip/palate · United States
- World Craniofacial FoundationCraniofacial anomalies · United States
- Children's Craniofacial AssociationCraniofacial anomalies · United States
- FACES: The National Craniofacial AssociationCraniofacial anomalies · United States
- myFaceCraniofacial anomalies · United States
You are more than your diagnosis
Perspectives from people navigating life with Cleft lip/palate.
Explore research for Cleft lip/palate
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- Recruiting studies from ClinicalTrials.gov
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- Eligibility is confirmed by the study team
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Powered by HealthSpark, our AI chat helper · Study information from ClinicalTrials.gov · Eligibility is confirmed by the study team.
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