prenatal diagnosis, early surgery and care well co-ordinated by a team of specialists are vital for children born with cleft lip or cleft, experts say.
Cleft lip or palate - occurring in the first trimester of pregnancy when the roof of the mouth does not fuse properly - affects more than 7 000 babies born each year in the United States and is most often defect of birth.
Prenatal ultrasound may detect the majority of cases. Once a diagnosis is made, doctors should counsel parents to give them time to prepare emotionally before the birth of the baby, experts say. Physicians and parents also need to develop a treatment plan, according to the Dr. Richard Redett, plastic pediatric and reconstructive surgeon and Associate Director of the clinic of slot & Craniofacial Centre at Johns Hopkins children's.
He noted that research has shown that early surgery helps ensure the development of the word. Surgery is most effective if made before the baby is one year.
Postoperative treatment should include specialists from the ear-nose-throat, speech therapists, Pediatric Orthodontists and psychologists said Redett.
He and his colleagues offered a few tips to prevent cleft lip/palate:
Planning become pregnant should take 400 micrograms of folic acid per day.Pregnant women should not smoke and should avoid second-hand smoke.Pregnant women also need to talk to their physicians any prescription or over-the-counter drugs, they are taking or planning to take, since some medications can cause or increase the risk of birth defects.A family history of cleft palate patients should talk with their physician procedure genetics.
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