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Cleft Lip and Cleft Palate

A young boy before and after cleft lip surgery. ©CBM
Above: Cleft lip before and after treatment
at a CBM supported project. Photo: CBM

What is Cleft Lip and Cleft Palate?

Cleft lip and cleft palate are two conditions that occur during the facial development of a foetus.

It occurs once in approximately every 600-800 births and can occur separately or combined.

If the condition is left untreated, babies can have difficulties breastfeeding and therefore will be at risk of lacking the vital nutrients they need for their development. This can lead to malnutrition and even death.

Clefting has been known to occur in other parts of the body during development, including the eyes, nose, cheeks and the forehead.

In addition, an untreated cleft lip and palate can mean that a child and family experience social stigma that forces the parents to hide their children away.

Surgical intervention mends the damage, but finding children who need our help is essential. To find these children, often hidden away because of their appearance, CBM uses a network of Community Health Workers.

Curing Cleft Lip and Cleft Palate

Surgery can successfully correct a cleft lip or palate, although it is best to operate when the child is young.

The surgery is conducted in partnership with local projects, and if required, on-going rehabilitation services such as speech therapy can be made available.

People with cleft lip or palate may also experience the following:

CBM's Cleft Lip and Cleft Palate work

CBM cured 2,217 children and adults with cleft lip and cleft palate in 2008 through its partner projects.

We support surgical teams in countries like Tanzania and Uganda, who provide treatment and after care to those who have the condition.

You can support our work and provide treatment for people with cleft lip or palate today.

Further Reading