DiagnosisMost cases of cleft lip and cleft palate are noticed right away at birth and don't require special tests for diagnosis. Increasingly, cleft lip and cleft palate are seen on ultrasound before the baby is born. Show
Ultrasound before birthA prenatal ultrasound is a test that uses sound waves to create pictures of the developing fetus. When analyzing the pictures, a doctor may detect a difference in the facial structures. Cleft lip may be detected with ultrasound beginning around the 13th week of pregnancy. As the fetus continues developing, it may be easier to accurately diagnose a cleft lip. Cleft palate that occurs alone is more difficult to see using ultrasound. If prenatal ultrasound shows a cleft, your doctor may offer a procedure to take a sample of amniotic fluid from your uterus (amniocentesis). The fluid test may indicate that the fetus has inherited a genetic syndrome that may cause other birth defects. However, most often the cause of cleft lip and cleft palate is unknown. TreatmentThe goals of treatment for cleft lip and cleft palate are to improve the child's ability to eat, speak and hear normally and to achieve a normal facial appearance. Care for children with cleft lip and cleft palate often involves a team of doctors and experts, including:
Treatment involves surgery to repair the defect and therapies to improve any related conditions. SurgerySurgery to correct cleft lip and palate is based on your child's particular situation. Following the initial cleft repair, your doctor may recommend follow-up surgeries to improve speech or improve the appearance of the lip and nose. Surgeries typically are performed in this order:
Cleft lip and palate surgery takes place in a hospital. Your child will receive a general anesthetic, so he or she won't feel pain or be awake during surgery. Several different surgical techniques and procedures are used to repair cleft lip and palate, reconstruct the affected areas, and prevent or treat related complications. In general, procedures may include:
Surgery can significantly improve your child's appearance, quality of life, and ability to eat, breathe and talk. Possible risks of surgery include bleeding, infection, poor healing, widening or elevation of scars, and temporary or permanent damage to nerves, blood vessels or other structures. Treatment for complicationsYour doctor may recommend additional treatment for complications caused by cleft lip and cleft palate. Examples include:
Coping and supportNo one expects to have a baby with a birth defect. When the excitement of new life is met with the stress of discovering that your baby has a cleft lip or cleft palate, the experience can be emotionally demanding for the entire family. For parents and familyWhen welcoming a baby with cleft lip and cleft palate into your family, keep these coping tips in mind:
For your childYou can support your child in many ways:
Preparing for your appointmentIf your child was diagnosed with cleft lip, cleft palate or both, you'll be referred to specialists who can help create a treatment plan for your child. Here's some information to help you get ready and what to expect from your doctor. What you can doBefore your appointment:
Some questions to ask your doctor may include:
Don't hesitate to ask other questions. What to expect from your doctorYour doctor is likely to ask you a number of questions, such as:
Preparing and anticipating questions will help you make the most of your appointment time and allow you to cover other points you want to address. Sept. 15, 2022 Which goal is priority after surgical repair of cleft lip?After Surgery Care. The goal after surgery is to protect the new repair and stitches. For this reason there will be some changes in the child's feeding, positioning, and activity for a short time. Remember, these are only temporary!
When providing postoperative care for the cleft lip The nurse should position the child in?Answer: B. Prone. B: Postoperatively children with cleft palate should be placed on their abdomens to facilitate drainage.
What is the immediate postoperative care for an infant with cleft lip repair?You should generally try to keep the site clean, and free of crusting. It is okay to clean around the nostrils gently with a washcloth to remove crusts or dried blood, however no specific cleaning is needed. Nothing should be applied to the lip until scar care is discussed at the first post-operative visit.
Which method should the nurse use to feed an infant after surgical repair of a cleft lip?They usually can breastfeed or use a regular bottle-feeding system. The only change needed might be positioning the nipple so the baby can latch. If you're breastfeeding your baby, try changing the feeding position so that your breast fills the cleft.
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