Cleft Lip and Palate

Children’s Minnesota recently promoted pediatric neurosurgeon Dr. Meysam Kebriaei to medical director of the organization’s neurosurgery program.

Mycaela Scalzo and Donovan Martin, parents of one with another on the way, were going to their 20-week ultrasound appointment with the typical feelings of anxiousness and excitement parents have. During this appointment, the baby’s size, organs and overall health are checked. But Mycaela and Donovan’s excitement soon turned to fear. During the check-up, an unknown mass was found on their baby’s face. The provider suspected it was oral teratoma – a noncancerous but still potentially dangerous tumor that could block the baby’s airway, create feeding issues and more.

Mycaela Scalzo and Donovan Martin, parents of one with another on the way, were going to their 20-week ultrasound appointment with the typical feelings of anxiousness and excitement parents have. During this appointment, the baby’s size, organs and overall health are checked. But Mycaela and Donovan’s excitement soon turned to fear. During the check-up, an unknown mass was found on their baby’s face. The provider suspected it was oral teratoma – a noncancerous but still potentially dangerous tumor that could block the baby’s airway, create feeding issues and more.

We first met the O’Neil family in 2019 when they shared their son’s, Austin’s, cleft lip and palate story. Parents, Bridget and Patrick, explained how their Children’s Minnesota cleft and craniofacial team partnered with them from the birth of Austin through today.

To celebrate cleft and craniofacial awareness month, we're sharing more about the amazing work our cleft and craniofacial providers do to help our patients and their families.

Join us for the 8th Annual Children's Family Fun Day for patients, families and friends from our Cleft and Craniofacial Clinics. The day is hosted by the Northern Star Council and located at the Kiwanis Scout Camp near Marine on St. Croix.

Babies with cleft lips and/or palates have their own unique ways of sucking from a bottle. They may require special bottles or nipples and some extra patience.

“Palate” is another name for the roof of your mouth. The palate is both the roof of your mouth and the floor of your nose. The palate has two parts: the front, or hard palate, and the back, or soft palate. The hard palate is made of bone and the soft palate is made of muscle.