What are the characteristics of a submucous cleft palate?

What are the characteristics of a submucous cleft palate?

An SMCP can include any, or all, of the following signs: A very wide or split (bifid) uvula. Translucency of the tissue along the middle of the soft palate. A notch in the back of the hard palate.

What speech characteristics are associated with cleft lip and palate?

Individuals with cleft lip and palate may also exhibit dysphonia. This is characterized by breathiness, hoarseness, and low intensity of voice during speech tasks. This is usually due to increased respiratory and muscular effort, and hyper-adduction of vocal folds while attempting to close the velopharyngeal valve.

Does a child who presents with all the characteristics of a submucous cleft need surgery?

The problems caused by a submucous cleft palate vary from child to child. Some can have speech problems and many ear infections, while others have no symptoms or speech problems. Children with submucous cleft palate fall into one of these four categories: No surgical repair needed, no speech therapy needed.

Does cleft lip and palate affect life expectancy?

The results of treatment for cleft lip and palate are usually excellent both aesthetically and functionally. Children born with these conditions have a good quality of life and a normal life expectancy.

What is the difference between a submucous cleft palate and a cleft palate?

A complete cleft palate is a split in the entire roof of the mouth. An incomplete cleft palate is a split in part of the roof of the mouth. A bifid uvula is a split in the uvula. A submucous cleft palate is an opening in the muscles of the soft palate, beneath a thin layer of tissue (mucous membrane.)

How does submucous cleft palate affect speech?

However, a submucous cleft can cause velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI). VPI is a condition where the defect in the velum (soft palate) prevents it from closing against the pharyngeal wall (back wall of the throat) while talking. This can cause hypernasality or nasal air emission during speech.

What does a submucous cleft feel like?

A submucous cleft of the hard palate is defined as a bony defect in the midline or center of the bony palate. This can sometimes be felt as a notch or depression in the hard palate. Often a submucous cleft palate is associated with a cleft (or “bifid”) uvula.

How can a cleft palate be fatal?

Nine in 10 children with a cleft lip or palate can die without surgery according to Dr. William Magee. Magee founded Operation Smile to repair cleft lips and palates more than 35 years ago. “More people die from lack of access to surgery, than from malaria, AIDS and TB combined,” Magee said.

How does cleft palate cause death?

The causes of death were mainly due to associated congenital anomalies (61%) and infection (17%). Conclusions: Children born with cleft palate have a 15-fold increase in mortality compared with the regional East of England infant mortality rate and at least a 10-fold increase when compared with other clefts.

How do you know if you have a submucous cleft?

A submucous cleft palate may be identified by the presence of a bifid uvula and a notch at the back of the hard palate. However, in some children, the palate may appear normal on physical examination despite the fact that the child is experiencing speech problems, persistent ear disease, and/or swallowing difficulties.

How do you fix a submucous cleft palate?

A submucous cleft only needs to be repaired if speech and language are affected. Approximately 50% of children with a submucous cleft palate will require surgery to repair it. The other half will not need any surgery.

What heart problems are associated with cleft palate?

Cardiac anomalies are one of the most common congenital disorders associated in cleft lip and palate patientsIt includes Cyanotic and acyanotic cardiac diseases likel fallot’s tetralogy, transposition of greater vessels, atresia of tricuspid, total anomalous pulmonary venous return (TAPVR), truncus arteriosus.