|
|
 |
|
Each patient's treatment is personalized and may
include speech therapy, a speech aid for feeding or speech problems, orthodontic and
dental work, reconstructive and reparative surgery, and ear, nose and throat care.
Your child's specific needs are discussed and care coordinated among the team members
following each visit.
A speech pathologist evaluates your child's articulation skills, voice quality and
language skills to make recommendations based on assessment.
An audiologist tests hearing and monitors changes. The type of hearing loss in
children with cleft palates, though, is usually the result of middle ear fluid and
is usually correctable.
An otolaryngologist assesses the health of the ear, nose and throat. Children with
clefts of the palate are at a higher risk of ear infection, most commonly due to a
malfunctioning of the Eustachian tubes (small passages leading from the middle ear
to the throat).
Plastic surgeons recommend and perform reconstructive and reparative surgery. The
surgeon evaluates your child's cleft and will perform the surgical closure of the
cleft, as well as related operations your child may require. The timing of the
surgical procedures and the type of surgery will depend on your child's condition.
Surgical closure of the lip usually occurs at approximately two to three months of
age. Closure of the palate usually occurs at 12 months of age. The timing of the
surgery also is dependent on the child's weight, nutrition and overall medical
condition.
The pediatrician assesses the general health of the child and the family environment.
The pediatrician specializes in the care of children and oversees your child's overall
growth and development.
The dental specialists monitor your child's dental growth and development. These
dental specialists include pedodontist (children's dentist), orthodontist (bite
alignment and teeth straightening) and prosthodontist (dental appliances). An
orthodontist helps guide normal facial development and tooth alignment.
A prosthodontist constructs prosthetic appliances to assist in speech or feeding.
A pediatric dentist monitors a child's dental development.
An oral surgeon recommends and performs needed oral surgery to correct tooth and jaw
alignment.
The Occupational Therapist - reviews feeding techniques and provides families with
practical help in feeding their infants. Infants with a cleft lip may have difficulty
closing tightly around the nipple and creating adequate suction due to the cleft palate.
Nursing coordinator manages continuity of care and follow-up.
A Genetic Counselor can provide information on the causes of clefts and answer
questions about recurrence in other family members.
« Back | Top
|
|
|
|
|
|
