CLEFT LIP AND PALATE IMPACT THOUSANDS OF CHILDREN GLOBALLY, BUT EARLY INTERVENTION CAN TRANSFORM THEIR LIVES. WE INVESTIGATE THE CAUSES, TREATMENTS, AND HOW TO SUPPORT CHILDREN LIVING WITH THESE CONDITIONS… WHAT IS CLEFT LIP AND PALATE? A CLEFT LIP OCCURS WHEN A BABY’S LIP DOESN’T FORM PROPERLY IN THE WOMB, SAYS DR CARMEN BRINER, A JOHANNESBURG GENERAL PRACTITIONER SPECIALISING IN CHILDREN’S HEALTH AND INFECTIOUS DISEASES. “WITH THIS CONDITION, THE TISSUES THAT FORM THE UPPER LIP DON’T JOIN COMPLETELY, CREATING A SMALL GAP OR A LARGER OPENING THAT EXTENDS INTO THE NOSE,” SHE EXPLAINS. BABIES WITH CLEFT LIPS OFTEN ALSO HAVE CLEFT PALATES, DR BRINER ADDS. SHE EXPLAINS THAT THIS HAPPENS WHEN THE ROOF OF THE MOUTH DOESN’T FUSE COMPLETELY AND IT AFFECTS EITHER THE HARD PALATE (THE BONY PART) OR THE SOFT PALATE, (MUSCULAR PART). Text Julia Lamberti CONTENTS | 42 BETTER CHILD REBUILDING BROKEN SMILES