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Warning-sign checks

Cleft lip and palate: when to get help

Go through these in order and stop at the first one that applies. If you are reading this for someone else, answer for them.

  1. 1

    Is any of this happening now?

    Call 911
    Other emergency signs, for anyone
    • Someone who is struggling to breathe, gasping, choking, or cannot get words out
    • Someone who has chest pain, tightness or pressure lasting more than a few minutes
    • Someone who has sudden weakness or drooping on one side of the face or body, slurred speech, or sudden confusion
    • Someone who is unconscious, or cannot be woken
    • Someone who is bleeding heavily and it will not stop with firm pressure
    • Someone who has had a seizure that will not stop, or does not wake up afterwards
    • Someone who has lips or skin that look pale, blue, grey or blotchy
    • Someone who you believe has taken an overdose or swallowed something poisonous
  2. 2

    Does any of this apply?

    Book an appointment

    Follow-up schedules are individualized, but visits with the cleft team often continue through childhood and adolescence.

    Routine monitoring may cover:

    • Feeding, nutrition, growth, and sleep
    • Healing and results after surgery
    • Hearing, middle-ear fluid, and ear infections
    • Speech and language development
    • Tooth health and jaw alignment
    • School progress, behavior, and emotional well-being
    • Planning for future surgery or orthodontic care

    Arrange a routine review if speech becomes harder to understand, the child develops frequent ear symptoms, permanent teeth are not appearing as expected, or the child is worried about appearance or social experiences.

    Earlier discussion allows the team to assess whether support, testing, or a change in the treatment plan is needed.

The article also says

Cleft-related care continues as the face, teeth, speech, and hearing develop.

Families should keep regular primary care and dental appointments in addition to cleft-team visits.

Vaccinations and general childhood care remain important.

Adults born with a cleft may also seek care for dental problems, jaw alignment, nasal breathing, speech, hearing, scars, or appearance.

A craniofacial team can review these concerns even if treatment ended years earlier.

Every sign above is quoted from the sofidex article on Cleft lip and palate. If you are not sure, err upward — it is always reasonable to be checked.