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How Can One Identify A Cleft Palate In A 10-month-old Child And Treat It?
Question: I think my grand daughter, age 10-months could have a slight cleft palate. Its hard to get a good look. At the least her upper lip and gums appear to be attached about 1/4-1/2" inch in length. Also, she just started making a strange sucking or drawing-in of air sound.
My daughter took lamictol during pregnancy and I know this can cause problems.
My daughter took lamictol during pregnancy and I know this can cause problems.
Brief Answer:
Advice to follow up with pediatrician
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
I have gone through your question and the attached picture. The picture does not give a clear look of her palate and therefore the presence or absence of cleft palate could not be assessed.
However, the cases where upper lip is tethered to gum is called upper lip tie. In the picture there seems to some degree of lip tie.But physical examination is required to confirm. Common symptoms of upper lip tie including difficulty latching and feeding, difficulty gaining weight, sounds during sucking.
In babies with upper lip tie, the upper lip skin will turn pale if you try to flip up the upper lip.
I would also like to add that Lamictal is an anti epileptic which is associated with no risk of cleft palate. There are only few reported cases of cleft with use of Lamictal. However, larger studies have failed to prove any such association
Since you are concerned about possible cleft palate and lip tie, please be advised to follow up with her pediatrician for further assessment.
Management of lip tie is simple where the tie is released surgically or using laser. Early management of lip tie is important for good outcomes.
Hope this answers your question Please let me know if you need further clarification.
Regards,
Dr. Lekshmi Rita Venugopal
General & Family Physician
Advice to follow up with pediatrician
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
I have gone through your question and the attached picture. The picture does not give a clear look of her palate and therefore the presence or absence of cleft palate could not be assessed.
However, the cases where upper lip is tethered to gum is called upper lip tie. In the picture there seems to some degree of lip tie.But physical examination is required to confirm. Common symptoms of upper lip tie including difficulty latching and feeding, difficulty gaining weight, sounds during sucking.
In babies with upper lip tie, the upper lip skin will turn pale if you try to flip up the upper lip.
I would also like to add that Lamictal is an anti epileptic which is associated with no risk of cleft palate. There are only few reported cases of cleft with use of Lamictal. However, larger studies have failed to prove any such association
Since you are concerned about possible cleft palate and lip tie, please be advised to follow up with her pediatrician for further assessment.
Management of lip tie is simple where the tie is released surgically or using laser. Early management of lip tie is important for good outcomes.
Hope this answers your question Please let me know if you need further clarification.
Regards,
Dr. Lekshmi Rita Venugopal
General & Family Physician
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
thank you for your reply. What would you consider "early management"? 1-year old, 2 year old?
Brief Answer:
Appropriate intervention as soon as possible
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Management of lip tie with surgery or laser can be done as early as 3 to 4 months. Persisting lip tie can cause problems with feeding and weight gain.Since your baby is 10 month old, please follow up with her pediatrician as soon as possible.
Hope I have answered your query.
Regards,
Dr. Lekshmi Rita Venugopal
General & Family Physician
Appropriate intervention as soon as possible
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Management of lip tie with surgery or laser can be done as early as 3 to 4 months. Persisting lip tie can cause problems with feeding and weight gain.Since your baby is 10 month old, please follow up with her pediatrician as soon as possible.
Hope I have answered your query.
Regards,
Dr. Lekshmi Rita Venugopal
General & Family Physician
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
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