Cleft Lip and Cleft Palate

You are not alone

When a baby’s lip or mouth doesn’t form properly during pregnancy, the child is born with a cleft lip or cleft palate. This is the most common facial anomaly that children are born with around the world, including here in the United States. If your child was born with a cleft lip or palate, you may feel like you are alone; you may be worried about the number of surgeries your child will need and if physical and emotional difficulties will occur down the road. The specialists at Randall Children’s Hospital understand all of this, and we are here for you with a family-focused approach to care and treatment. Our team will be with you and your child every step of the way, offering compassion, understanding and support. We will be there cheering along with you and your child as they make their journey into adulthood.  

Our specialists listen to you, carefully observe your child, and work with your child’s primary care provider to identify symptoms, recommend tests and prescribe treatment plans tailored to your child’s situation. You’ll have peace-of-mind knowing your child’s care will extend beyond the cleft lip or palate treatment. We will continue to address any physical concerns such as feeding or breathing problems, emotional/self-esteem worries and social development issues. Together, we will create a total healing plan for your child and your family.  

Conditions We Treat

As specialists in this field, we provide exceptional care for the following conditions:  

• Cleft lip 
• Cleft palate 
• Pierre Robin sequence (a set of abnormalities affecting the head and face, consisting of a small lower jaw (micrognathia), a tongue that is placed further back than normal (glossoptosis), and blockage of the airways). 

What Can You Expect?

Each child’s condition is unique. For some, a cleft lip or palate may be barely noticeable. For others, the abnormality might be causing breathing or eating issues. Some children require only one surgery at a very young age to repair the tissue, while others may require several surgeries throughout their childhood in addition to speech and other therapies. No matter the types of treatments or the length of time needed to correct the condition, we will be there with you as partners in your child’s wellbeing. As we get to know your child and your family, we will develop a long-term plan that benefits all of you. 

Your Care Team

Our medical professionals are expertly trained in areas related to cleft lip, cleft palate, Nasoalveolar Molding (NAM) and Pierre Robin sequence. Our team also includes specialists in the fields of hearing, speech pathology and communication. Together, we provide highly personalized care focused on the entire family.

Genetics 

• George Anadiotis, D.O.
• Drea Petersen, M.D.

Plastic surgery 

• Christopher Zarella, M.D.
• Kathleen Waldorf, M.D. 

Neurosurgery 

• Garrett Zoeller, M.D.

Otology/audiology 

• Denise Kosoever Wechter, AuD
• Greta Eikenberry, AuD

Speech pathology, feeding support, communication, neuropsychology and development 

• Aimee Gerrard-Morris, PhD
• David Prillwitz, SLP
• Miriam K. White-Pedeaux, OTD, OTR/L
  

Dentistry and orthodontics 

• Richard Garfinkle, DDS, MSD
• David Neil, DDS
• Rich Wolfgramm, DDS

For a consultation with our Pediatric Development and Rehabilitation specialists, contact us below.  

Our Location 

Pediatric Development and Rehabilitation 
2801 N. Gantenbein Ave., Suite 2225 
Portland, OR 97227 
Phone: 503-413-4505 
Fax: 503-413-4719 
Map/Directions 

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