About the Cleft Lip and Palate Program
Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia is one of the nation’s leading centers for treating cleft lip and palate.
Cleft lip and palate are the most common congenital abnormalities of the mouth and lip, affecting up to 1 in 600 to 800 live births. The defect may involve the lip, the palate, the alveolus (the gum between the lip and the palate), or any combination of these. Cleft lip and palate may be isolated or part of a syndrome.
Example of unilateral complete cleft lip, extending from one side of the lip into the nose.
With each case, we oversee your child’s transformation — from diagnosis and surgery through ongoing treatment — to provide the best possible outcomes.
Our experienced, multidisciplinary team provides comprehensive, coordinated care for children and teenagers with cleft lip and palate. Over the last 5 years, we have treated 9,026 patients with cleft lip and cleft palate conditions during 16,368 visits.
Specialized treatment includes:
- Surgical repair of cleft lip and cleft palate
- Nasoalveolar molding program for infants with clefts of the lip and palate
- Longitudinal orthodontic and dental care for complex dental issues that often accompany facial clefting
- Jaw (orthognathic) surgery if needed
- Specialized speech and language evaluation and treatment
- Ongoing psychosocial support from dedicated clinical psychologists and social workers
- Prenatal diagnosis, evaluation and management through the Hospital’s Center for Fetal Diagnosis and Treatment
- Access to CHOP’s pediatric specialists at every stage, including the Newborn/Infant Intensive Care Unit, Pediatric Feeding and Swallowing Center, Psychiatry, Child Life Services, Lactation Program and more
We also work closely with the 22q and You Center at CHOP, the world leader in diagnosis and management of children with a chromosome 22q11.2 deletion, a genetic disorder that can cause a variety of health problems, including cleft palate.
Your child’s appointment with the Cleft Lip and Palate Program
The Cleft Lip and Palate Program takes a team-focused approach to treating cleft patients, bringing together plastic surgeons, pediatricians, orthodontists and other specialists in order to provide the most comprehensive care for your child.
Your child's initial evaluation will include:
- Examination by our plastic surgeons
- Imaging studies as needed, along with referral to other pediatric specialists when indicated
- Discussion of cleft lip and palate surgery and follow-up
- Discussion of non-surgical treatments and long-term care, including:
- Nasoalveolar molding program for infants with clefts of the lip and palate
- Longitudinal orthodontic care for complex dental issues that often accompany facial clefting
- Specialized speech and language evaluation and treatment
Learn more about why you should choose The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia for your child's cleft lip and cleft palate care.
