Short Description
A congenital condition where the roof of the mouth doesn't fully close during development, affecting speech and eating.
Long Description
A cleft palate is a birth defect in which the roof of the mouth (palate) does not close completely during early fetal development. This results in an opening between the oral and nasal cavities.
Cleft palates can occur on their own or with a cleft lip, and they may impact feeding, speech, hearing, and dental development. Children with cleft palates often have missing or displaced teeth and are prone to ear infections and orthodontic issues.
Treatment involves a team of specialists, including surgeons, orthodontists, and speech therapists. Surgical correction is typically performed in stages during early childhood to close the gap and improve function and appearance.