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The incidence of cleft jaw deformity in children is notably high in Asian and Latin American countries, with Vietnam having a significant number of affected children. So, what exactly is cleft jaw deformity, and is there a cure for it in children? Refer to the detailed article below for more information.
Understanding Cleft Jaw Deformity
Cleft jaw deformity occurs when the tissues of the mouth or the palate of the fetus do not develop properly. Children with this deformity often lack sufficient tissue in the mouth, and this tissue fails to fuse properly to form the palate. Some children may have both the front and back parts of the palate affected, while others may only have a partial deformity.
3 Common Types of Cleft Jaw Deformity in Children
- Cleft lip without cleft palate
- Cleft palate without cleft lip
- Cleft lip and cleft palate together
Girls are more susceptible to this deformity than boys, according to statistics.
This deformity manifests distinct visible signs, making it easily diagnosable through prenatal ultrasound. If cleft jaw deformity is not detected before birth, it can still be identified shortly after delivery.
Mothers need not worry, as cleft jaw deformity can be completely cured through surgical methods in modern medicine. The recommended timeframe for intervention is between 12 to 18 months after birth to significantly enhance the child's facial features.
Treatment for Cleft Jaw Deformity in Children
Children with cleft jaw deformity will impact their eating habits. Thus, specialists offer the following advice:
- For bottle-fed infants, the sucking ability depends on the width of the cleft. If the child can create a tight seal around the bottle, feeding will be successful. Mothers should also pay attention to the feeding position, holding the baby in a semi-reclined position to facilitate easier swallowing, reducing the occurrence of spit-up or vomiting.
- These children tend to swallow more air during feeding than normal, so gently patting the baby's back to release gas from the stomach is crucial.
- Feeding a child with a cleft can be time-consuming and challenging, so mothers need to find the most suitable feeding method for their child. Additional information on bottle options for cleft babies can be found in articles for convenient care of the baby.
- As your child transitions to the weaning stage, introduce small, liquid meals using a spoon. Mothers should exhibit patience during changes in the feeding routine or meal segmentation. And after the child undergoes surgery, feeding significantly improves, making it less challenging for mothers.
We hope the information provided here proves helpful for mothers in caring for the health of their precious ones.
