A child born with a split in the upper lip is said to have a cleft lip. A separation in the roof of the mouth – or palate – is called a cleft palate. Surgery is usually recommended to repair either of these congenital (present at birth) conditions.

Our doctors and specialists are committed to providing quality, compassionate, and comprehensive care to children with clefts, and craniofacial problems, as well as ongoing support to their families. Treatment includes cutting-edge surgical and therapeutic techniques combined with the dedication of the medical team to provide children with a bright, happy, healthy future.

Often, the skills of several medical professionals are needed to correct problems with a cleft lip or palate. Because most children may have other problems — including feeding, teething, hearing, speaking; as well as dental and psychological development issues as they grow up — our reconstructive and plastic surgeons have assembled a specialized Cleft Team.

This group of specialists includes:

• plastic surgeons
• pediatricians
• ENT specialists
• nurses
• dentists
• psychologists
• speech and language pathologists
• hearing specialists
• social workers
• genetic counselors

Our team works closely with other specialists at Jackson Memorial Hospital for complete, streamlined coordination of care.

Tests

Prenatal Ultrasound
In some cases, the ultrasound technician will notice a facial difference in your baby during a prenatal ultrasound.

Physical Exam
Your baby’s cleft lip or palate will be diagnosed by physical exam shortly after birth.

Treatments

Surgery
Your child will need to undergo surgery to repair the cleft lip and/or cleft palate to make sure they can eat, drink, and breathe normally. Follow-up surgeries throughout childhood and teenage years are often needed.

Why Choose UHealth?

Expert multidisciplinary clinic for cleft lip and palate care. Since 1951, the mission of the South Florida Cleft and Craniofacial Clinic has been to provide patients and their families with a comprehensive cost effective multi-specialty treatment plan. Patients and families can meet with all of our cleft lip and palate specialists in a single visit. We provide individualized care for each child, and work to develop a close relationship with parents and families

A Proud Part of the American Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association. ACPA helps ensure the best outcomes for these patients and families through education, support, and research. Click here to learn more about the resources they provide to families.

Frankino Cleft Resource Library. Established in 2013, the Samuel and Connie Frankino Cleft Resource Library provides educational resources for our patients and families. It is located on the first floor of the Mailman Center for Child Development, next to the South Florida Cleft Clinic.

Highly-trained specialists to perform your surgery. Offering the latest in leading-edge research and technology, our plastic surgeons treat many patients who have been referred by doctors from across the country and around the globe. Members of our plastic and reconstructive team are experts in a variety of complex procedures and represent a wide range of medical skills and training.