Can cleft lip and palate heal or close up later on?
Disease description:
My child was born with cleft lip and palate, and we haven't had it treated yet. Some people say it might heal or grow together naturally over time— I'm not sure if that's true. I'd like to ask: can cleft lip and palate close on their own later?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Zhang Liwen
In most cases, cleft lip and palate do not close spontaneously later in life. Cleft lip and palate is a congenital combined condition; some patients have only cleft lip and palate, while others have only cleft palate. The fusion of the lip and palate occurs during fetal development inside the mother's womb, at a very early stage. During the first three months of embryonic development, normal fusion should take place in the areas affected by cleft lip and palate.
