Cleft Lip & Palate: Diagnosis & Surgical Repair
A clear guide to cleft lip and palate in infants, covering diagnosis, timing of surgery and the long-term care pathway.
Treatment usually begins with
Newborn Assessment
Feeding Support
Surgical Repair
Speech & Dental Follow-up
Care begins with feeding support in infancy, followed by staged surgical repair and long-term speech and dental follow-up.
You may need this evaluated if...
A cleft evaluation and care plan is needed when these are present:
- A visible gap or split in the upper lip at birth
- A gap in the roof of the mouth (palate)
- Difficulty feeding or latching in a newborn
- Nasal regurgitation of milk during feeds
Cleft lip and palate are among the most treatable birth conditions, and staged surgical repair achieves excellent functional and cosmetic results.
What is Cleft Lip & Palate?
Cleft lip and palate are birth conditions where the tissues of the lip or roof of the mouth do not join completely during early pregnancy, affecting feeding, speech and appearance.
Common Birth Condition
One of the more common congenital conditions, often correctable with excellent long-term results.
Staged Treatment Pathway
Surgery is typically planned in stages timed to the infant's growth and development.
Team-Based Care
Plastic surgery, paediatrics, speech therapy and dental specialists work together over the years of follow-up.
Feeding Support First
Specialised feeding techniques and equipment support nutrition before and after surgery.
Common Signs
- Visible gap in the upper lip
- Opening in the hard or soft palate
- Feeding difficulty or milk coming through the nose
- Speech and dental concerns as the child grows
What Increases Your Risk
A combination of medical, genetic and lifestyle factors can increase the likelihood of this condition.
How It Is Diagnosed
A detailed clinical examination confirms the diagnosis and helps plan the right reconstructive or aesthetic approach.
Newborn Clinical Examination
Confirms the type and extent of the cleft at birth.
Feeding Assessment
Evaluates feeding ability and guides supportive feeding techniques.
Multidisciplinary Planning
Speech, dental and paediatric input shapes the long-term care timeline.
Treatment Approaches
Conservative Care
- Specialised feeding bottles and techniques
- Growth and nutrition monitoring
- Speech therapy assessment as the child develops
Surgical Care
Lip repair is typically performed in early infancy and palate repair a little later, with additional revision or dental/orthodontic procedures planned as the child grows.
Treatment decisions are based on the extent of the condition, your goals and overall health, not a single test.
Know When to Act
Recognising these signs early and acting promptly leads to better functional and aesthetic outcomes.
Book an Assessment
Schedule a consultation for a routine evaluation or ongoing concern.
- A newborn diagnosed with cleft lip or palate needing a care plan
- Feeding difficulty in an infant with a cleft
Seek Urgent Care
Reach out for emergency care immediately if you notice any of the following.
- Choking or breathing difficulty during feeds
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