Causes of cleft lip
In the following paragraphs, we will discuss the causes of cleft lip. It is a common condition among children, characterized by a cleft in the upper lip, resulting from the facial structures not fully closing together.
This occurs during the developmental stages, and it also occurs as a result of a genetic defect. This means that cleft lip is the result of a genetic defect that can be treated through a series of surgeries. Today, we will discuss with you the most important causes that lead to its occurrence in detail, so stay tuned.
What are the causes of cleft lip?
through center Dr. Ali Al-Shafii The causes of cleft lip can be identified, as there is currently no clear, real reason for cleft lip in children. The cause of most cases is unknown, and it is very difficult to prevent these cases from occurring.
However, there are some factors that can cause a child to be born with a cleft lip. It occurs as a result of genetic or environmental factors, especially if there is a family member suffering from this problem. Some scientific research and studies have revealed that some medications taken by the mother during pregnancy play a role in causing cleft lip, such as medications used to treat cancer, epilepsy, arthritis, and psoriasis.
Some research has also shown that exposure of the mother to chemicals or viruses during pregnancy is an effective cause of cleft lip. In addition, scientists have identified a group of causes and factors that play an effective role in causing a defect that results in the formation of cleft lip in children. We mention some of them to you as follows:
- Mother's addiction to smoking.
- The mother's consumption of alcoholic beverages during pregnancy.
- The presence of diabetes in the mother.
- Taking certain medications during pregnancy.
- The mother's failure to take some essential vitamins, such as folic acid, during pregnancy.
What are the types of cleft lip?
Now that we know the causes of cleft lip, we will now learn about its types, which are divided into two types:
- Unilateral cleft lip: This type of lip has a single cleft on one side. In some cases, the cleft extends to the nose or does not extend.
- Bilateral cleft lip: This type of cleft lip has two clefts on either side. In some cases, the cleft extends to the nose or does not extend.
What are the symptoms of cleft lip?
The most prominent sign of a cleft lip is usually the external appearance of the child's mouth, where there is a cleft in the lip, along with some other symptoms and signs, which we mention to you below:
- Missing or excess baby teeth.
- Milk coming out of the baby's nose during breastfeeding, because the barrier between the nose and mouth is abnormal.
- Speech problems in children, as you may feel as if the child is speaking through his nose.
- Recurrent infections of the middle ear and Eustachian tube, which sometimes lead to hearing loss.
What are the complications of cleft lip?
There are many children who suffer from the problem of cleft lip, as it leads to some health and psychological problems, including, for example, difficulty in breastfeeding for children and difficulty eating, and this matter results in some complications, the most prominent of which we mention to you below:
- Hearing loss due to recurrent ear infections.
- Problems with the alignment of teeth and their deformity appear, making them vulnerable to decay and loss.
- Difficulty in pronouncing words and communicating with others.
How is cleft lip diagnosed?
While discussing the causes of cleft lip, we also discuss its diagnosis. It can be diagnosed simply by looking at it and does not require any medical examination. However, a doctor can detect this condition before the child is born. This can be done through the following:
- A prenatal ultrasound scan is performed, which shows an image of the fetus, especially in the thirteenth week of pregnancy.
- The doctor can also see the cleft lip when the fetus is more developed at this time.
- After the doctor confirms that the fetus is infected, a sample of the amniotic fluid is taken from inside the uterus.
- The fluid is then examined to determine if there is a genetic syndrome, as it may cause other abnormalities at birth.
What are the risk factors for cleft lip?
There are some medical studies and research conducted on cleft lip, which have shown that one out of every 700 children born will develop a cleft lip each year. It has been scientifically proven that male newborns are more affected than females, in addition to a group of other factors that increase the likelihood of a child developing a cleft lip. These factors include the following:
Mother's alcohol consumption and smoking
There is a greater chance of a baby being born with a cleft lip and palate if pregnant mothers are addicted to alcohol or smoke, in addition to taking certain medications.
Family history
Family history is one of the most effective causes of cleft lip and palate, and plays a significant role, especially in cases where parents have a family history of cleft lip or cleft palate.
Obesity during pregnancy
Some studies have shown that there is a lot of evidence that women who suffer from obesity during pregnancy are more likely to give birth to a child with a cleft lip.
How is cleft lip treated?
Cleft lip is a condition that can be treated through a series of surgical procedures. However, the process depends primarily on the severity of the condition, with the goal of closing the cleft lip and reshaping the face to its natural state. This requires a specialist in this type of surgery, and we recommend the best plastic surgeon in Egypt, Dr. Ali El Shafei, owner of the largest plastic surgery and body contouring center in Egypt.
After completing the surgical procedures to reshape the face, the child must follow up with a group of specialist doctors, such as a speech therapist to treat the speech problem, a dentist, and the surgical procedures performed to treat cleft lip are as follows:
- A child's first surgery can be performed in the first year of life.
- The rest of the other operations begin in adolescence.
- In cases of wide clefts, the doctor will suture the cleft and bring its edges closer together before performing surgery to repair the defect.
- During surgery, the doctor anesthetizes the patient and uses tissue and skin from both sides of the lip to close the cleft.
Are there ways to prevent cleft lip?
There is no definitive way to prevent cleft lip. It is a condition that is difficult to avoid, especially since it is linked to environmental and genetic factors. However, many people become anxious when a child is born with a cleft lip, fearing that it will happen again with the next child. Therefore, there are a set of steps that clearly help reduce the risk of developing this condition. These steps are as follows:
- Consult your doctor for genetic counseling and to check your family history of the disease, especially before pregnancy.
- Avoid consuming alcoholic beverages during pregnancy.
- Avoid smoking during pregnancy.
- Make sure to take vitamins during pregnancy according to your doctor's advice.
Cleft lip surgery cost
to set Cleft lip surgery cost In Egypt, it is not specific, because there are some criteria on the basis of which the amount required for the operation is determined, including, for example, the experience of the specialist doctor in performing such an operation. The more experience the doctor has in this operation, the higher its cost. Also, the medical center in which the operation is performed has a prominent role in determining the cost of cleft lip surgery in Egypt. But before we move on to another paragraph, a distinguished doctor must be chosen so that the patient can reach the best result after the operation. The best person we recommend to seek help from in such an operation is Dr. Ali Al-Shafei, as he is The best plastic surgeon in Egypt.
