Cleft lip and craniofacial surgeries: Giving children a second chance

Parents are being encouraged to speak to healthcare providers if they notice anything unusual in their baby’s face or head shape, as early detection can make a significant difference.

This message was shared by Rufaro Magede from Blue Downs whose son, Caleb, 3,  underwent skull surgery at Tygerberg Hospital last year. She was speaking during National Cleft and Craniofacial Awareness and Prevention Month, observed each July.

Cleft and craniofacial conditions are often identified before or shortly after birth. Early diagnosis allows doctors to begin planning interventions to improve long-term outcomes, according to hospital spokesperson Laticia Pienaar.

Cleft lip and cleft palate – where parts of the upper lip or the roof of the mouth do not form correctly – affect around one in every 2,000 children, Ms Pienaar said. Without treatment, children may face complications such as feeding difficulties, frequent ear infections, hearing loss, speech delays, dental issues, developmental delays, and social challenges.

Tygerberg Hospital, along with Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital, is working in partnership with the Smile Foundation to raise awareness and provide reconstructive surgeries. Both hospitals are tertiary centres.

“These are not just cosmetic procedures, they are life-saving and life-changing,” said Professor Nick Kairinos, head of plastic and reconstructive surgery at Tygerberg Hospital.

Caleb had complex skull surgery at Tygerberg Hospital in 2023. Ms Magede said: “I was scared and confused when I first heard the diagnosis. But the care and expertise we received gave me strength and hope.”

The cleft palate of one-year-old Anzelle van der Merwe from Bellville was identified at birth. Her mother, Nicole, said: “When I first saw her, I did not care about the cleft, I was just so happy to meet my baby. I knew God would make a way. I have been with her through every operation and recovery, and today we share an amazing bond. I would not change a thing.”

Both families thanked the medical teams who supported their children throughout their treatment.