Health encyclopaedia

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Symptoms of Cleft lip and palate

The first problem often experienced by babies with cleft lip and palate is difficulty feeding.   Many babies with cleft lip or palate can breast feed but others have difficulty in sucking properly.   There are special teats and bottles available which help the baby to get milk to the back of the throat to swallow more easily. Sometimes dental plates (obturators) can be used to seal the palate and help the baby feed better.

If the baby is having difficulty feeding, weight gain may be slower than normal at first but usually develops normally by about the age of six months.

Cleft palate can often cause problems with speech, and this may be the case even if the cleft is a small one.  After the palate is repaired most children will go on to speak normally.  Some children may have a nasal quality to their voices.

As the muscles of the palate affect the ear there may be an increased likelihood of ‘glue ear’.   This occurs when a sticky fluid is found behind the eardrum as a result of infection in the middle ear.   This can be treated with antibiotics or a minor operation to insert a tiny plastic tube or grommet through the eardrum, allowing the fluid to drain.   All babies with cleft palate should be examined by an ENT specialist within the first three to six months of life.

The development of the teeth and growth of the jaw may sometimes be affected by cleft palate.  Some first or permanent teeth may be missing, abnormally shaped or crooked. These problems are usually easily corrected by the dentist and orthodontist.

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