Wednesday 5 December 2012

CLEFT LIP AND PALATE IS NOT A DISEASE


The face is an important source of information in interpersonal communication. It is the focus of attention in face-to-face interaction, and gives us information on which we form initial, automatic impression of other people. Cleft lip and palate forms a group of facial anomalies that have an additional disadvantage of being located in the nose mouth area and can have a significant physical and psychological impact on the patient.


  It occurs due to non-fusion of the body's natural structures that form before birth. Cleft lip and palate is the second most common birth defect and the most common birth defect on the face. Approximately 1 in every 800 live births in India suffers with this deformity. Males are more affected than females

Most clefts can be categorized into three broad categories: cleft lip without a cleft palate, cleft palate without a cleft lip, cleft lip and cleft palate together

The major problems with cleft lip and palate are feeding , speaking, hearing and social integration.

Most children around the world, who have their clefts repaired early enough are able to have a happy youth and social life. Due to huge population, illiteracy and poverty in our country most of our children are not operated. These children have a huge psychosocial issues  relating to self concept, low self esteem , peer relationships and appearance, they never leave their homes are not allowed to attend school  or hold a job and face very difficult lives filled with shame, isolation, pain and heartache .


The exact cause of cleft lip and palate is unknown, but it’s thought to be caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Cleft lip and palate can sometimes have a family link or genetic predisposition. Other causes ; having an infection, smoking or drinking alcohol during pregnancy , folic acid deficiency, stress, fever during early pregnancy, overweight ,taking certain medicines at the time of pregnancy , radiation exposure are come common factors causing  cleft lip and palate.


The solution is a 45min surgery that can change the life of the child completely. The first surgery for the lip is at 3-4 months of age followed by palate surgery at the age of 1year before the development of speech. This is followed by speech therapy after 2 years of age.

Cleft lip and palate can be easily corrected it is not a disease child leads a healthy and normal life after the surgery; so let’s give every child with a cleft a chance to smile

Dr. Gagan Sabharwal

Project director and chief surgeon

Dr. T.N.Sabharwal center for cleft and craniofacial surgery

Navjeevan Hospital, Pitampura, New Delhi

Email:- cforclap@gmail.com

Ph:- +91-9711112290


We provide surgery for underprivileged children costing 25000/- at 10% cost (2500/-)

 You can help by sending donations in Favor of “Dr.T.N.Sabharwal Healthcare Trust” to Dr. Gagan Sabharwal at  G- 241 Naraina Vihar New Delhi -110028