Cleft Lip and Palate Center
The Cleft Lip and Palate Center at Texas Children’s Hospital specializes in the comprehensive care of patients born with a cleft lip and/or palate. Clefts are congenital differences that occur when a baby’s upper lip and/or palate are unable to come together during pregnancy. A baby can be born with an isolated cleft lip, an isolated cleft palate, or a combination of both. The main challenges that our cleft children can encounter are feeding difficulties, speech development, oral hygiene, dental concerns, and social interaction.
Our Mission
At Texas Children's Hospital, our team is recognized as an approved center by the American Cleft Palate Craniofacial Association (ACPA). We’re committed to providing high-quality, comprehensive care for every child’s cleft needs through a coordinated, team-based approach.
Our multidisciplinary team brings together specialists in craniofacial plastic surgery, otolaryngology (ENT), orthodontics, speech and language pathology, audiology, developmental psychology, genetics, nutrition, and social work. By working closely together, we’re able to support each patient at every stage of care.
Our goal is simple: to improve quality of life for children and adults with cleft conditions by delivering thoughtful, complete, and personalized care.
Cleft Lip and Palate Clinic at Texas Children’s Hospital
Dear Families,
Welcome to the Cleft Lip and Palate Clinic at Texas Children's Hospital. Our Cleft Team offers comprehensive, specialized care for children with a cleft lip and/or palate. Since we began treating patients almost 50 years ago, we have helped thousands of families affected by this facial difference.
Each year, our clinic treats many babies with a cleft lip and/or palate. Most of these patients are followed by our team from infancy into adulthood.
Our team consists of plastic surgeons, physician assistants/nurse practitioners, speech and language pathologists, audiologists, craniofacial orthodontists, otolaryngologists (ENT), social workers, developmental psychologists, geneticists, and dieticians. Together, our team works to develop the best plan of care for your child.
All of our team members are dedicated to helping children with clefts achieve their full potential. Parents and caregivers are essential members of the care team. We encourage you to take an active role in your child’s care by asking questions and following the care plan we recommend. All of us working together will provide your child with the best possible outcome.
Sincerely,
The Texas Children's Cleft Lip and Palate Team
