Clefts

Cleft Lip Only

Signs and Symptoms
Diagnosis
Treatment

Treatment

Surgery is necessary to repair a cleft lip. The procedure will be performed when the infant is around 10 weeks old (or at 10 pounds). Surgery takes two to three hours and often requires the infant to stay in the hospital overnight. If needed, a surgical revision of the lip surgery would be done before the child begins school. That said, surgical intervention necessary to repair a cleft lip is considered reconstructive and not cosmetic.

Orthodontic treatment (braces) is usually necessary in early adolescence and may need to start earlier.

Speech difficulties are uncommon, but a child with a cleft lip may encounter social and emotional challenges unique to this condition. Support organizations and resources are available for children and their families.

Reviewed by health care specialists at UCSF Children's Hospital.
Last updated May 8, 2007