[When a child is born with a cleft lip and palate]

The child born with cleft lip and palate. Cleft lip, cleft palate and cleft lip and palate are among the most common facial abnormalities. The birth of a child with any of these and the prospect of a schedule of treatments that will continue into late adolescence puts enormous stress on the entire family. Between 1989 and 1994, 160 babies with such malformations were born in Quebec. In a study of eight families from this population, the author examines ways in which they communicate, share tasks, react to difficulties, show interest and solve problems. By means of interviews and three questionnaires, the author determined that the first three months following the birth are the most crucial. During this time, the nurse can help the family through a redefinition of roles brought on by the prospect of numerous medical and surgical procedures. The nurse can also provide the family with emotional and educational support; help them understand and come to terms with the child's malformation, so that the child is fed properly; and help lessen the family's feelings of helplessness. The nurse must ensure that these parents are adequately informed and provide them with additional information about cleft lip, cleft palate and cleft lip and palate. She must be aware of appropriate resources and, whenever possible, refer the families to an organization or a centre specializing in this type of malformation.