Medical - Cleft Affected Children

Understanding Cleft

If you are deciding on adopting a cleft child, it is important to read as much information and talk to as many professionals as possible. The more information you have, the more prepared you will be.

There is so much information available regarding the birth defect of cleft lip and/or palate. Some children may be born with just a cleft lip on one side, called a unilateral cleft. A cleft on both sides of the mouth is called bi-lateral cleft. A child may be born with a cleft palate and it may also be unilateral or bilateral affecting the hard and/or soft palate. These issues will have an affect on what treatment will be necessary for your child.

Adopting a child with a cleft lip and/or palate is like embarking on a new adventure. They say that a person's eyes are the mirror of their soul. The first time you see the photo of your child, look beyond the cleft and look into the eyes of the child for that is where you will find the true inner beauty of this child.

Cleft Resources

Cleft Advocate

Parent support of children born with cleft lip and Palate. Your online Resource Cleft lip and Palate Information.
http://www.cleftadvocate.org/

List of cleft lip and palate resources for surgeries, support, feeding, and more.
http://www.cleftadvocate.org/resources.html

Cleft Lip and Palate: Critical Elements of Care

This PDF document is a diagnosis-specific educational tool to be used by health professionals.
http://www.cshcn.org/forms/CLP_CEC.pdf

Cleft Palate Foundation

Information for patients and families about cleft lip, cleft palate and other craniofacial differences.
http://www.cleftline.org/

Full-text on-line reports and articles.
http://www.cleftline.org/publications/

The Importance of a Multi-disciplinary Approach

This article addresses the need for a team of different medical specialists in the treatment and recovery of cleft lip and palate.
http://www.widesmiles.org/outreach/ws359.html

Shriners Hospitals for Children

SHC is a network of 22 pediatric hospitals in the U.S., Canada and Mexico that provide specialized care for orthopedic conditions, burns, spinal cord injuries and cleft lip and palate. All services are provided at no charge.
http://www.shrinershq.org/Hospitals/_Hospitals_for_Children/

Wide Smiles

Find hundreds of articles and resources on cleft lip on this Web site. Also offers a quarterly magazine as well as an online discussion list.
http://www.widesmiles.org/

List of cleft lip and palate resources.
http://www.widesmiles.org/outreach/ws163.html

Frequently Asked Questions for Cleft Lip and/or Palate.
http://www.widesmiles.org/outreach/newpfaq.html