Verdeckte Spalte
Eine einseitige Lippen-Kiefer-Gaumenspalte
Eine beidseitige, vollständige Spalte
Eine verdeckte Spalte (Mikroform)

Surgery

The surgery to close the cleft is the first and central therapeutic measure. It represents a decisive turning point in the life of a child with cleft lip and palate.

Speech- and Functional Therapy

Cleft children are impaired in their speech development due to dysfunction in the structures of the mouth, jaw and throat. The oral muscles are underdeveloped and children with a cleft palate also have a nasal, often hoarse speech. Oral motor skills and articulation are improved through speech and functional therapy.

Dentistry / Orthodontics

A cleft lip and palate is often accompanied by severe misalignments of the teeth and jaw. Correcting these is a long-term process. It is not uncommon for subsequent surgical interventions, such as bone transplants, to be necessary. In some of our treatment centers, children are treated with NAM therapy before surgery. In addition, almost all children in our project countries have bad teeth due to a lack of dental care and oral hygiene.

ENT Care

As a result of a cleft palate, there is insufficient pressure equalization in the middle ear. This restricts the ventilation of the middle ear, resulting in fluid build-up. The children suffer from a constant feeling of pressure, earache and, in many cases, chronic middle ear infections. In the long term, the build-up of fluid in the middle ear leads to hearing damage and subsequently problems in learning to speak.

Psychosocial Support

Cleft children are different from other children. They look different, talk differently. Being different often leads to exclusion, ridicule and mobbing. This can result in far-reaching psychosocial disorders for the children. Early and continuous psychological support helps to promote the children's self-confidence. It also helps the affected parents, for whom the birth of a child with a cleft is a great burden.