You are thinking about adopting a baby or young child from another country, but you have some concerns about health issues and physical conditions that are difficult to deal with. One relatively common example is a cleft lip or cleft palate. Fortunately, these conditions can be corrected with surgery. 

About Cleft Lip & Cleft Palate

These birth defects involve the baby's upper lip or mouth not forming as they should during pregnancy. A cleft lip does not join completely, leaving a space that ranges from a small area in the lip or a large opening from the lip to the nose. In a cleft palate, tissue that forms the roof of the mouth from both sides does not connect completely. Some babies have both. It's unclear why the condition is so common.

The Time Frame for Adopting a Special Needs Child

If you were to request an infant with no special needs, you might wait for years, even for an international adoption. Older children, as well as babies with special needs, have their own waiting list. That makes the adoption process speedier.

Managing the Condition Before Surgery

Before the operation, the baby or small child may have trouble with eating, and you must learn how to manage that. In addition, children with these problems are prone to ear infections and may have trouble hearing properly. Although it's important to have the defect resolved quickly, you may be advised to wait for a few months so you and the child have time to bond beforehand. 

Medical Professionals Your Child Will Need

The medical treatment your adopted child will need will depend on the condition's severity and the child's age. If the youngster is more than a year or two old, the surgery may be more complicated, with more operations necessary in the future. 

An oral surgeon like Terrence E. Robbins DMD, Inc., technically known as an oral and maxillofacial surgeon, repairs the birth defect. A maxillofacial prosthodontist may be needed to create prosthetics to replace missing bone and tissue the child was not born with.

Your child might also need a plastic surgeon to make his or her face look normal. A speech therapist could be a member of the team.

It's a good idea to learn whether your health insurance will cover all the costs involved with your adopted child's special needs.

Are You Ready?

Adopting a child is a huge decision, and adopting one with special needs is even more challenging. If you're up for that challenge, however, you'll find this to be an immensely rewarding experience. Consider consulting with an oral surgeon who performs surgery on babies and young children with cleft lip and cleft palate issues so you can learn more about what to expect. 

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