1. Can cleft lip grow back on its own in late pregnancy?
No. The development of the lips, nose and palate is basically completed in the first trimester, so cleft lip will not grow back on its own in the middle and end of pregnancy.
2.What tests are more accurate to diagnose cleft lip? Besides ultrasound, what other tests should be done?
Ultrasound is the main test to detect cleft lip. The literature reports that the accuracy of traditional two-dimensional ultrasound examination is 9-100% for the diagnosis of cleft lip and 0-22% for the diagnosis of cleft palate, while the accuracy of three-dimensional ultrasound examination is 100% for the diagnosis of cleft lip and 0-89% for the diagnosis of cleft palate, so three-dimensional ultrasound examination should be performed if possible. During pregnancy, the mother-to-be does not need to undergo any other special tests.
3.How is cleft lip treated? What is the approximate cost?
Cleft lip is mainly treated by surgery. Currently, there are some charity programs such as Smile Train and Yan Ran Angel Fund that provide free surgical treatment. The price of cleft lip and palate surgery varies slightly from hospital to hospital, but the cost of surgery at major hospitals in Beijing and Shanghai is about 10,000 RMB.
4.Can cleft lip be cured and can it be the same as normal children?
Cleft lip can be cured by surgery. By following the regular sequence of treatment, cleft lip and palate babies can obtain better appearance and function.
5.How long is the treatment period for cleft lip? Does it require multiple surgeries?
The treatment cycle for cleft lip and palate varies according to the severity of the deformity, and the number of treatments required varies, so a treatment plan needs to be developed with the help of a doctor.
6.How long should my baby receive surgery at birth?
Generally cleft lip repair surgery is performed when the baby is 3 months old and cleft palate repair surgery is performed around one year old
7.What criteria should be met before surgery?
Before surgery, the baby should be of a certain weight, not too thin, not anemic, and not infected with other parts of the body.
8.What are the special tests that need to be done when the baby is born?
To check whether the baby has malformations in other parts of the body, such as heart malformations and other craniofacial malformations.
9.How to feed a baby with cleft lip?
The correct breastfeeding position should be towards the side of normal development and the mother should keep the child at 45 degrees and not lie flat to avoid milk flowing into the nasal cavity or being choked.
10.What is the special attention during pregnancy?
The main thing is psychological adjustment: cleft lip and palate is the most common congenital malformation in children, with a prevalence rate of one in six hundred; modern surgical treatment for cleft lip and palate has a history of up to 400 years, with mature technology, and most children can recover their normal anatomical structure and function after treatment. However, if the child’s deformity is severe and complex, the process may take a considerable amount of time and multiple surgeries, so it is important to be fully prepared psychologically and strive to be a strong mother in order to give your child the strongest support and appropriate treatment.
Finally, every baby is the best unique gift from God to the mother, be confident that with your own careful care, your baby will also be able to blossom the most beautiful smile.