Untreated clefts lead to a host of problems – both physical and psychological – that include:

• poor speech
• impaired hearing
• regurgitation of food and liquids through the nose
• upper respiratory tract infections
• depression, low self-esteem
• dental and orthodontic problems

A person with an untreated cleft has an expected life span that’s statistically 14 years less than the national average.

Cleft of the palate causes poor development of speech. These children may take longer to develop speech and when they do, they may talk slower than most children, may have a very nasal-sounding speech, and may find it hard to pronounce certain words.

If a child with a cleft palate is operated late, speech therapy is often needed to help eliminate any speech impediments.