The Cribsiders S6 Ep133: Cleft Lip & Palate
Feb 12, 2025
Dr. Matthew Blessing, a craniofacial pediatrician at Seattle Children's Hospital, shares his expertise on cleft lip and palate. He discusses the challenges faced by primary care practitioners, particularly with time constraints and managing complex cases. The conversation includes insights on effective feeding strategies for infants and the importance of early specialist consultations. Dr. Blessing also highlights socioeconomic disparities in cleft care and the vital role of a collaborative approach to ensure comprehensive treatment for affected families.
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From Burnout to Craniofacial Focus
- Dr. Matthew Blessing transitioned from primary care pediatrician to craniofacial pediatrician after 11 years due to burnout from time pressure.
- He sought more time with families and found it in the craniofacial center where he works with complex patients.
Cleft Lip & Palate Variations
- Cleft lip and palate can occur in various subtypes with different extent and combinations.
- Submucous cleft palate can be tricky as symptoms may be subtle or absent despite muscle or bone defects under intact mucosa.
Detecting Missed Isolated Cleft Palate
- Trust your clinical instinct if a newborn has feeding difficulty or nasal regurgitation, even if isolated cleft palate is not clearly visible.
- Gentle manual pressure on infant gum lines often reveals palate clefts without needing a tongue depressor.