THE CLEFT PALATE

Hutt News, Volume 19, Issue 12, 22 August 1945, Page 9

THE CLEFT PALATE

(By the Department of Health) In babies abnormalities occur quite frequently. Some folk believe they're caused by frights or accidenis in the ante-natal period. While this isn't true, the real cause is unknown. Gross malformations seem to happen from germ cell upset before fertilisation. Heredity has something to do with it. Quite a common abnormality is hare-lip and cleft palate. While the father and mother a/e not directly to blame for this mishap, they would, be culpable if thoy let the proper time for correction pass by. And that is very early! Overseas it is common to fix a hare lip during the first month of life and to fix up a cleft palate between 18 months and two years of age. Here in New Zealand we have our own specialists, some of whom prefer to fix the cleft palate up first, commencing operative treatment at between two or three months of age. When the palate is completely closed the final job of lip closure is done. Time, then, is most important with liare-lip and cleft palate. Parents with such a baby should consult their surgeon or base hospital immediately. Arrangements are possible by which surgeons or base hospitals can put parents in touch with the proper specialist treatment, if they can't provide it themselves. The aim with cleft palate children is to get them cured as early as possible so that there'll be little distortion of speech to contend with. Once the disability is finally overcome, bony palate joined and soft palate complete, speech training in very simple form and palate exersices will be beneficial. The parents may need the help of a speech clinic. From start to finish cleft palate requires specialist help—the parents' task is to seek this early enough to get full benefit.