A cleft lip or cleft palate is a gap or break in the lower lip, which occurs when developing facial bones do not close totally during pregnancy. Cleft lip can also be unilateral or bilaterally.
A baby with a cleft palate can also experience a cleft on the roof of his or her mouth (a cleft palate). In most cases, this will happen to babies who are born prematurely or to babies who have suffered from severe trauma. This deformity will cause significant pain and discomfort for the baby. In severe cases, the infant may be in constant discomfort. The clefts will usually not cause any obvious deformity.
Cleft lips are more common among African American women than in white women
Because of cultural beliefs about how black skin is fragile and sensitive, black women are twice as likely to experience this condition. Other factors include genetic factors such as the presence of the recessive gene, and exposure to chemical or radiation that is absorbed through the skin. In addition, the mother's genetics and her immune system also play a role in determining whether she will develop a cleft.
If you are pregnant, you should make sure to go to your doctor or midwife for a routine examination of your cleavage and normal growth of your breasts. Your doctor will take blood samples to determine if there are any problems, including those with your immune system, in your body that may affect your chances of having a baby with a cleft.
If your baby's heart is not beating properly, he or she may have a condition called cardiomyopathy, which means that the heart muscle is underdeveloped in babies with this problem. If the heart is underdeveloped in a baby, the heart may not be able to pump properly, leading to an increase in heart rate and blood pressure.
Another common reason for a baby to have a cleft is that the baby's head may be too big for his or her neck. Although not always the case, most babies who have clefts have been caused by breech presentation, or when the head and neck are not perfectly symmetrical, which causes them to be more difficult for the child to pass through the birth canal when born. Although the deformity does not affect the brain function of the child, it can lead to difficulty in speaking and eating, in some cases.
In a baby who has a cleft, treatment usually includes surgery, which will fix the defect, or reconstruct the palate to make it more symmetrical, or even to replace it with a second piece of skin so that the child can breathe properly. Sometimes, surgery and reconstruction will fix both deformities at the same time.
Physical therapy is also used to help babies who are affected by a cleft
In general, the longer the baby waits before surgery, the better he or she will be in terms of recovery and development.
Physical therapy will consist of exercises designed to improve flexibility and endurance in the feet, ankles, knees and hips, as well as strengthening the tendons of the fingers, toes and hands. It may also include stretching exercises for the muscles and tendons of the spine and pelvis, as well as muscle building exercises for the abdominal area.
During physical therapy, your physical therapist will teach you how to use your muscles properly. After the initial treatment, your physical therapist may also give you stretches and exercises designed to strengthen the muscles that support your body, which you need for walking and holding up a cup. of coffee cup or spoon. to drink from.
After six months, your physical therapist may recommend that you have a physical exam performed by your doctor. Your doctor will examine the babies' feet and ankles and examine your ankles for any evidence of swelling, bruising or sutures, if there are any. The doctor may also order tests such as heart tests to see if your baby's heart is properly functioning.
If you have already had surgery, your physical therapist will help you put on the proper footwear. He or she will help you get the proper nutrition, which will help your baby recover faster.