National Cleft and Craniofacial Awareness & Prevention Month.

Did you know that 2,600 babies in the United States are born with a cleft palate and 4,400 babies are born with both a cleft palate and lip? July is National Cleft and Craniofacial Awareness and Prevention Month. Craniofacial defects change how a baby’s head looks and how they are able to eat and function. There are many different kinds of craniofacial defects a baby can have. Some include having the outer portion of the ear not form properly or be completely missing as well as the clefts mentioned above.

How do these defects happen?

Craniofacial defects and clefts happen during a baby’s development when the bones in the baby’s skull come together and join too early or when an ear is not formed properly.

When a baby’s upper lip or palate doesn’t form correctly there is an opening above the mouth and this is called orofacial clefts. 

A baby is more likely to have a cleft and a craniofacial defect if a woman:

• Has diabetes prior to being pregnant
• Smokes or drinks alcohol during her pregnancy
• Has maternal thyroid disease
• Takes certain medications while pregnant

What are the effects?

Children with craniofacial defects are more likely to have physical, learning, and social challenges. Babies and children with a craniofacial defect such as clefts may have:

• Feeding problems
• Ear infections and hearing loss
• Speech problems
• Dental problems

Treatment for a craniofacial defect depends on its severity and therefore differs from case to case. Orofacial Clefts can be repaired by surgery and this usually happens at different ages.

• Cleft lip:10 to 12 weeks old
• Cleft palate: Between 9 to 18 months

To learn more about National Cleft and Craniofacial Awareness & Prevention month visit the CDC website.