Diagnosis and management of cleft lip and palate by primary health care workers

Cleft lip and palate are the most common congenital craniofacial abnormalities. Patients with this birth defect often have numerous health care needs, including feeding difficulties, chronic ear infections, dental and speech problems. In Sub-Saharan Africa three out of every tour deliveries take place at the primary level of health care, Primary health care workers can therefore be a significant resource in cleft diagnosis and treatment. By providing necessary information to parents and appropriate initial health care needs for infants and children with cleft deformity, the primary health care worker could minimize morbidity in children with this birth defect and can be a helpful link between families and the multidisciplinary cleft team