Cleft and Craniofacial Surgery (Face and Skull) - 1
Cleft and Craniofacial Center
Cleft lip and palate are among the most common birth defects. Approximately one newborn in 700 has cleft lip, cleft palate, or both. Nevertheless, many families have never heard of cleft lip or palate until their child is born. It can be a scary and confusing time, but we want you to know that help is available.
Our multidisciplinary team works closely with families to provide the best outcome for children with craniofacial anomalies, including:
- Cleft lip and/or palate
- Submucous cleft palate
- Pierre Robin sequence
- Craniosynostosis
- Oculoauriculovertebral (OAV) syndrome
- Beckwith-Weidemann syndrome
- Treacher Collins syndrome
- Velocardiofacial (VCF) syndrome
- Abnormal head shape/Plagiocephaly
Children's Cleft & Craniofacial Center provides the following services:
Cleft Clinic
Clinical Feeding Evaluations
Comprehensive Craniofacial Clinic
Plagiocephaly Clinic
Velocardiofacial (VCF) Syndrome Clinic
Prenatal/Pre-Adoption Consultations
Services and Support
Specialists are available for your child's care
Each child is different, of course, but these conditions usually call for treatments from a variety of medical specialists.
We work with you, on behalf of your child
Communication is key. That's why all specialists involved with your child meet, as a team, face to face with your family regularly.
Support beyond medical care is important, too
We know that it's helpful for families to know that they are not alone, and that there are resources available to them.
Payment for care
Your family's insurance, HMO, PPO, medical assistance, etc., will be billed for services provided by the Cleft Clinic.
Print a two-page overview brochure of the Cleft Clinic (PDF)
About Cleft and Craniofacial Surgery at Children’s

Children's has one of the largest cleft and craniofacial surgery programs in the region. Team members provide diagnosis and treatment to thousands of children in the region, including newborns, infants, children, and adolescents.
Pediatric specialists from a wide range of disciplines work together to develop a comprehensive treatment plan for the unique needs of your child. Team members may include specialists in pediatric craniofacial surgery, audiology, dentistry, plastic surgery, prosthodontics, oral and maxillofacial surgery, otolaryngology, genetics, and other disciplines.
All specialists involved with your child meet face-to-face with your family regularly. Care is coordinated so families can see multiple specialists in a single visit.
For more information, visit Children's cleft/craniofacial program section.
Contact us
- If you are a family member looking for a Children's cleft/craniofacial surgeon, please call Children's Cleft Clinic at (612) 813-6888.
- If you are a health professional looking for a consultation or referral information, please call Children's Cleft Clinic at (612) 813-6888 or Children's Physician Access at 1-866-755-2121 (toll-free).
