Cleft Lip

What is it?

Cleft lip is a congenital condition where there is a gap or split in the upper lip, which may be unilateral (on one side) or bilateral (on both sides). It can occur in isolation or with other craniofacial abnormalities like cleft palate.

What are the symptoms?

Visible gap or split in the upper lip
Difficulty feeding in infants
Nasal speech (in some cases)
Frequent ear infections (if associated with cleft palate)
Difficulty with oral hygiene

What else could it be? (Differential diagnosis)

Cleft palate (often occurs together with cleft lip)
Pierre Robin syndrome
Stickler syndrome

What are the aggravating factors?

Family history of clefts
Maternal smoking or alcohol use during pregnancy
Certain medications during pregnancy
Nutritional deficiencies during pregnancy (e.g., folic acid)

What types of food are helpful?

Breastfeeding: Recommended for infants with cleft lip if possible, as it helps with oral muscle development.
Soft foods: For children post-surgery to avoid irritation of the healing lip.
Folate-rich foods: Important in pregnancy to reduce the risk of clefts (e.g., leafy greens, fortified cereals, legumes).

Sample Recipe: Sweet Potato Puree

Ingredients: Sweet potatoes, olive oil, water.
Directions: Steam sweet potatoes and blend them with olive oil for a nutritious, soft food option for infants.

What are the traditional treatments?

Surgical repair: Typically performed within the first few months of life to close the gap in the lip.
Speech therapy: To address any speech issues related to the cleft.
Dental and orthodontic care: To support the development of teeth and jaw alignment.
Hearing tests: To ensure proper hearing and address any ear infections.

What are the natural and alternative treatments?

Prenatal vitamins with folic acid: May help reduce the risk of cleft lip during pregnancy.
Herbal supplements: No known herbal remedies for cleft lip itself, but prenatal care is essential.
Acupuncture: Some studies suggest acupuncture may help improve circulation and fetal development during pregnancy, though no direct evidence connects it to preventing cleft lip.