[Institute’s name]
The research on various types of disorders is being done since time immemorial. New disorders are also being discovered whereas the causes and symptoms of the already existing disorders are also being discoursed upon. Genetic and chromosomal disorders form a branch of the tree of disorders that exist. One of such disorders is called a cleft lip disorder. The description of this condition, its causes and symptoms are elucidated in the paper below.
Cleft lip or palate refers to a birth defect of the mouth. The lip or the palate of the baby does not form properly during pregnancy (“Facts about Cleft Lip and Cleft Palate”, 2014). Due to this improper formation, there is a cut in the upper lip that extends to the nose. This cut can be narrow or wide. It can be on one side, on both sides or in the middle. It results when the tissue of the lip is not completely joined during the early months of pregnancy when the head is formed (“Facts about Cleft Lip and Cleft Palate”, 2014).
Moreover, a baby with a cleft lip can also have a cleft palate (“Cleft lip and palate”). The mouth top is referred to as the palate. Similar to a cleft lip, the palate tissue faces an issue in being joined, resulting in an opening, referred to as the ‘cleft’. These clefts are often also known by the name of orofacial clefts (“Facts about Cleft Lip and Cleft Palate”, 2014).
Orofacial clefts are a result of changes in genes that are usually affected by the intake of the mother during her pregnancy and her environment. While doctors have not found a direct cause of cleft lips, they have discovered some causes that can indirectly result in this disorder
. A mother who smokes during her pregnancy is more likely to give birth to a child with a cleft lip. Also, diabetic women are more prone to giving birth to a child with this birth defect. Moreover, there are certain medicines that, if taken during pregnancy, can cause cleft lip or cleft palate.
The frequency of occurrence is estimated at 2,650 babies per year in the USA, who are born with a cleft palate (“Facts about Cleft Lip and Cleft Palate”, 2014). This signals that it is a common birth defect and demands much research regarding its causes. Children born with orofacial clefts find it difficult to be fed or are constantly plagues by ear infections.
While researching for the orofacial cleft disorder, I came across several resources that highlight different areas of coping with this disorder. For example, one website detailed methods to feed an infant with a cleft lip. It listed methods to help breastfeed such an infant.
The tips are both for the mother as well as the child. Moreover, if breastfeeding is not working with the child, tips to an aneffectively feed using bottles are also provided. These tips include the position in which the baby should be kept and the frequency of feeding that should be maintained.
Detailed discourse upon how to care for a child who has just undergone an operation to treat cleft lip or cleft palate has also been given on several websites. One of the most obvious problems after an operation is feeding the baby.
The website gives details about which methods may be suitable or can be expected to be prescribed by the surgeon. Therefore, I did find the websites useful. However, in order to ensure full care and support, it is important to obtain paid services from professionals who are fully devoted to this field.
Reference
Cleft Lip and Palate. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/cleftlipandpalate.html
Facts about Cleft Lip and Cleft Palate. (October 20, 2014). Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/birthdefects/cleftlip.html
