{"id":206,"date":"2018-02-09T13:24:42","date_gmt":"2018-02-09T13:24:42","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.cleftcare.scot.nhs.uk\/?page_id=206"},"modified":"2026-08-28T15:03:41","modified_gmt":"2026-08-28T15:03:41","slug":"professionals","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.nn.nhs.scot\/cleftcare\/patients-families\/professionals\/","title":{"rendered":"Children and families"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Cleft Lip and Palate<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Even though about 1 in 700 babies is born with cleft in the UK (that\u2019s about 1000 each year) the cause of cleft lip and palate is not really understood. While we know what happens, we don\u2019t know why it happens.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sometimes clefts run in families and sometimes a baby is born with a cleft without anyone else in the family having one. Your cleft team will have more information about current research.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Your baby may need some treatment by members of your Cleft Lip and Palate team.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You should be told which hospital to attend as soon as you know your child has a cleft. If you are unclear about this, you should ask someone in your maternity unit. The specialists on the cleft lip and palate team will work with you to ensure that your child receives the treatment he or she needs. A cleft lip is usually repaired within the first 3-6 months of your baby\u2019s life. A cleft palate is usually repaired a little later, probably by the time the baby is a year old. If there is a gap in the baby\u2019s gums, this will be repaired as his or her second teeth are coming through.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Everyone will come to the Glasgow Children\u2019s Hospital for their Cleft Surgery. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

More information<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The National Surgical Service has further information for patients and carers on their website<\/strong><\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This includes contact details, patient information leaflets and information on referrals to the service. Find out more about Orthodontics here – Orthodontics for Children & Teens – British Orthodontic Society (BOS)\u00a0<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n