Identification of cleft palate in the newborn

This recent UK guideline was published by the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health in October 2014, with support from many other associations, and endorsed by the National Institute of Health and Care Excellence. It was written due to concern over high rates of delayed detection of cleft palate, potentially affecting infancy growth and development, medical and surgical management, parental distress and litigation costs. Visual inspection of the palate is recommended in the guideline as it can be difficult to detect an isolated cleft palate by palpation alone. what should I be doing? Examine both the hard and soft palate as part of the full newborn physical examination. Use visual inspection, with a torch and a method of depressing the tongue. Document the examination in the patient record. Inform parents if the whole palate has not been visualised and examine the palate again...
Source: Archives of Disease in Childhood - Education and Practice - Category: Pediatrics Authors: Tags: Journalology, Health policy, Dentistry and oral medicine, Health service research Guideline review Source Type: research