Cleft Lip: Developmental Anomaly, Causes, and Management

Cleft Lip: Developmental Anomaly, Causes, And Management

Question. Write a short note on cleft lip.

Answer. Cleft lip is a developmental anomaly characterized by wedge shaped defect in the lip, which results from the failure of two parts of the lip to fuse at the time of development.

“Common challenges in diagnosing cleft lip effectively: FAQs provided”

Etiology

• Nutritional factors such as deficieancy of or axcess of vitamin A and deficiency of riboflavin.
• Maternal smoking (during pregnancy) is a very high­risk factor.
• Psychogenic emotional traumatic stress in pregnant mothers.
• Relative ischemia to the area due to defective vascular supply.
• Mechanical obstruction by an enlarged tongue.
• High dose of steroid therapy during pregnancy.
• Localized mucopolysaccharide metabolism defect in the area.
• Infections.
• Substances such as alcohol, drugs, or toxins are in the circulation.

“Understanding the role of cleft lip in developmental anomalies: Q&A explained”

Pathogenesis

• Cleft in the lower lip usually occurs either due to failure of the cupula to form the mandibular arch or due to persistence of the central groove of the mandibular process.
• Cleft of the upper lip and premaxilla occur due to failure of mesodermal penetration and subsequent obliteration of the ectodermal grooves between the median nasal process, lateral nasal process, and the maxillary process, which occurs during the seventh week of intrauterine life.

“Role of folic acid deficiency in causing cleft lip: Questions answered”

Clinical Features occur most commonly in males.

• The most common type of isolated cleft lip is the unilateral complete type.
• Breastfeeding is impossible for babies having cleft lip, as they cannot generate sufficient suction. Correct phonation and articulation aredifficult aspects  of speech.
• Mental trauma to the child due to the unusual appearance.

“Importance of studying cleft lip for better diagnostic outcomes: Questions explained”

Treatment

• Cosmetic repair of the face and lips
• Proper development of speech
• Prevention of maxillary arch collapse