Helping Malaysian kids with cleft lip and palate regain function and confidence

This baby is undergoing lip strapping of the upper lip, which will gently change the position of the baby’s lip to help facilitate corrective surgery. It also helps with feeding. — Photos: Col (Rtd) Dr MUMTAJ NISAH ABD RAHIM

Cleft lip and palate (CLP) are the most common congenital deformities of the head and neck, affecting thousands of infants worldwide each year.

During the early stages of pregnancy, the different parts of the head and face develop separately.