Having a congenital appearance difference may present a variety of challenges for children and their families. Our dedicated psychosocial support services team is here to help you navigate challenges and maximize well-being.

Review a timeline of common cleft lip/palate procedures and typical age of treatment, from birth to adolescence.

One of the most important advances in the care of cleft lip and palate in the last 30 years is nasoalveolar molding (NAM).

Coordinators in the Center for Fetal Diagnosis and Treatment and the Plastic Surgery nurse coordinator at CHOP partner to address many of the fears associated with this prenatal finding, and prepare families for caring for their child after delivery.

Cleft lip with or without cleft palate is the most common craniofacial anomaly detected on routine prenatal screening ultrasound. At CHOP, prenatal assessment of facial clefts is done in the Center for Fetal Diagnosis and Treatment.

The last several decades have seen remarkable progress in the care of children born with cleft lip and palate.

Read about Dr. Peranteau’s journey to become a pediatric and fetal surgeon at CHOP, and his research studying the potential to fix defects in genes prenatally.

Read about follow-up research to the landmark 2011 MOMS study, which showed prenatal surgery for spina bifida has measureable benefits over surgery after birth.

A decade after the MOMS trial, new findings show significant physical and emotional benefits in school-age children who had prenatal surgery for spina bifida.

Families make long journeys — and even relocate — so their children can receive specialized treatment at CHOP.