Overview
Central complete cleft palate involves a complete separation of the palate, including both soft and hard palate, leading to significant speech, hearing, and feeding difficulties. Early intervention is crucial for optimal outcomes.Diagnosis
Management
Special Populations
Key Recommendations
References
Showing 100 most recent of 216 indexed papers.
1 Findlen UM, Meehan A, Allen G, Kacmarynski DSF, Grischkan J, Nightengale EC et al.. Current Ear and Hearing Care Practices for Infants and Toddlers with Cleft Palate in the United States. The Cleft palate-craniofacial journal : official publication of the American Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association 2025. link 2 Olusanya A, Ibrahim AM, Ezeanochie NN, Adamson OO, Horne S, Eshete Abebe M. Repair of Cleft Palate in Adult Patients; Impact of Speech Therapy Following Surgical Intervention in Africa. The Journal of craniofacial surgery 2025. link 3 Alighieri C, Allemeersch F, Vandewiele F, Van Lierde K. Treating Non-Oral Compensatory Misarticulations in Children With a Cleft Palate: A Randomized Controlled Trial on the Effect of Combined Phonetic-Phonological Intervention. Journal of speech, language, and hearing research : JSLHR 2025. link 4 Cleland J, McCluskey R, Dokovova M, Crampin L, Campbell L. A mixed-methods pilot randomized control trial of ultrasound visual biofeedback versus standard intervention for children with cleft palate ± cleft lip: Parents' and children's perspectives. International journal of language & communication disorders 2025. link 5 Pitkanen VV, Geneid A, Saarikko AM, Hakli S, Alaluusua SA. Diagnosing and Managing Velopharyngeal Insufficiency in Patients With Cleft Palate After Primary Palatoplasty. The Journal of craniofacial surgery 2025. link 6 Lou Q, Wang X, Wan T, Wang B. Speech Acoustic Analysis in Adult Patients With Cleft Palate After Cleft Palate Repair and Speech Therapy. The Journal of craniofacial surgery 2025. link 7 Prathanee B, Duangprasert S, Chanachai S, Piromchai P. Development and Clinical Efficacy of the Application for Articulation Therapy-Thai (AAT-T) for Thai Children With Cleft Lip and Palate. Clinical and experimental dental research 2025. link 8 Sommer CL, Aljaro KG, Palomares Aguilera M, Yu-Quibael V, Cordero K. Speech and Resonance Disorders in Children With Cleft Palate: Diagnostic Evaluation and Current Speech Therapy Modalities. The Journal of craniofacial surgery 2025. link 9 Alighieri C, Bettens K, Scheerens C, Allemeersch F, Mouton T, Hens G et al.. Diagnosis and Treatment of Speech Disorders in Children With a Cleft (Lip and) Palate: A State-Of-The-Art Overview. The Journal of craniofacial surgery 2025. link 10 Crowley CJ. Improving Speech Outcomes in Low- and Middle-Income Countries for Patients Born with Cleft Palate. Plastic and reconstructive surgery 2025. link 11 Patrick K, Cleland J, Rutter B, Fricke S. Gradient speech change during intervention for school-aged children and adults with cleft palate ± lip. Clinical linguistics & phonetics 2025. link 12 Alighieri C, De Coster C, Bettens K, Pereira V. Does Generalization Occur Following Speech Therapy? A Study in Children With a Cleft Palate. Journal of speech, language, and hearing research : JSLHR 2025. link 13 Alighieri C, Hodges A, Verbeke J, Kestens K, Albite R, May Tan R et al.. Immediate individual effects of intensive group speech intervention on speech and health-related quality of life in adolescents with cleft palate: a descriptive study in the Philippines. Logopedics, phoniatrics, vocology 2025. link 14 Alighieri C, D'haeseleer E. Changes in Phonological Awareness Following Combined Phonetic-Phonological Intervention in Children With Cleft Palate. Journal of speech, language, and hearing research : JSLHR 2025. link 15 Wombacher NR, Lancaster HS, Scherer NJ, Chen DG, Kaiser A, Yamashita R. The impact of enhanced Milieu teaching with phonological emphasis (EMT + PE) on the speech and language outcomes for toddlers with cleft palate in Brazil and the United States of America. International journal of speech-language pathology 2025. link 16 Alighieri C, Bettens K, Mouton T, Allemeersch F, De Pauw G, Hens G et al.. From Clinic to Real Life: Speech-Language Therapists' Perspectives on Extratherapy Generalization in Children With Cleft Palate. American journal of speech-language pathology 2025. link 17 Alighieri C, Bettens K, Vandewiele F, Van Lierde K. Personalized, performance-specific speech intervention in children with a cleft palate: A systematic review protocol. International journal of language & communication disorders 2025. link 18 Alighieri C, Vandewiele F, Pereira V. What works for whom? A systematic review on personalized speech intervention in children and adolescents with a cleft palate. International journal of pediatric otorhinolaryngology 2025. link 19 Mouton T, Van Lierde K, Verhaeghe N, Alighieri C, Allemeersch F, Goeleven A et al.. Protocol for a Qualitative Study on the Acceptability of High- and Low-Intensity Speech Intervention in Children With Cleft Palate: Perceptions of Children, Their Caregivers and Speech-Language Pathologists. International journal of language & communication disorders 2025. link 20 Allemeersch F, Van Lierde K, Verhaeghe N, Bettens K, Mouton T, Hens G et al.. Effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of high-intensity versus low-intensity speech intervention in children with a cleft palate: Protocol for a randomized controlled trial. International journal of language & communication disorders 2025. link 21 Stanton EW, Manasyan A, Roohani I, Kondra K, Haynes K, Urata MM et al.. A Nationwide Analysis of the Impact of Cardiopulmonary Anomalies on Cleft Palate Surgical Outcomes. The Cleft palate-craniofacial journal : official publication of the American Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association 2025. link 22 Gelbier S. Franz Alfred (1880-1962) and Georg Frederich (1921-2010) Kantorowicz. British dental journal 2024. link 23 Crowley CJ, Yanowitch D, Baigorri M, Hwang KH, Cordero KN, Gonzalez A et al.. Impact of an International Training on Interventionists' Expertise in Cleft Palate Speech: Results From Oaxaca, Mexico. American journal of speech-language pathology 2024. link 24 Bow M, McCabe P, Purcell A. Speech-language therapy services for children with cleft palate: A scoping review on continuity of care. International journal of language & communication disorders 2024. link 25 Hashemi Hosseinabad H, Xing Y, Kemp M. A retrospective analysis of factors affecting speech production in school-aged children with cleft palate (+- cleft lip). International journal of pediatric otorhinolaryngology 2024. link 26 Street M, Miles A. Auckland Regional Cleft Palate Service: service accessibility and speech outcomes. The New Zealand medical journal 2024. link 27 Alighieri C, Mouton T, Allemeersch F, Van Lierde K. "The Decision to End Speech Therapy Brought More Peace and Tranquility Into Our Family": Exploring Speech-Related Treatment Fatigue and Dropout in Parents and Children With a Cleft Palate. American journal of speech-language pathology 2024. link 28 Yamada M, Tanito K, Suzuki H, Nakato D, Miya F, Takenouchi T et al.. Café-au-lait Spots and Cleft Palate: Not a Chance Association. The Cleft palate-craniofacial journal : official publication of the American Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association 2024. link 29 Eaton K, Rozzelle A. A Unique Case Report of Meningeal Hamartoma Within Alveolar Cleft. The Cleft palate-craniofacial journal : official publication of the American Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association 2024. link 30 Kotlarek KJ, Krueger BI. Treatment of Speech Sound Errors in Cleft Palate: A Tutorial for Speech-Language Pathology Assistants. Language, speech, and hearing services in schools 2023. link 31 Hayakawa T, Imura H, Inoue C, Mori T, Aihara Y, Tsujiuchi S et al.. Efficacy of telepractice, an alternative therapy tool during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, for speech disorders related to congenital anomalies. Congenital anomalies 2023. link 32 De Ryck M, Van Lierde K, Alighieri C, Hens G, Bettens K. A protocol for a randomized-controlled trial to investigate the effect of infant sign training on the speech-language development in young children born with cleft palate. International journal of language & communication disorders 2023. link 33 Alighieri C, Bettens K, Verbeke J, Van Lierde K. 'Sometimes I feel sad': A qualitative study on children's perceptions with cleft palate speech and language therapy. International journal of language & communication disorders 2023. link 34 Nakarmi KK, Mehta K, Shakya P, Rai SK, Bhattarai Gurung K, Koirala R et al.. Online Speech Therapy for Cleft Palate Patients in Rural Nepal: Innovations in Providing Essential Care during COVID-19 Pandemic. Journal of Nepal Health Research Council 2022. link 35 Sand A, Hagberg E, Lohmander A. On the Benefits of Speech-Language Therapy for Individuals Born With Cleft Palate: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Individual Participant Data. Journal of speech, language, and hearing research : JSLHR 2022. link 36 Lane H, Harding S, Wren Y. A systematic review of early speech interventions for children with cleft palate. International journal of language & communication disorders 2022. link 37 Kay HG, Lipscomb B, Zhao S, Shannon C, Phillips JD. Utilization of part C early intervention services for patients with cleft palate. International journal of pediatric otorhinolaryngology 2021. link 38 Williams C, Harding S, Wren Y. An Exploratory Study of Speech and Language Therapy Intervention for Children Born With Cleft Palate ± Lip. The Cleft palate-craniofacial journal : official publication of the American Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association 2021. link 39 Alighieri C, Bettens K, Vanoost L, Demuynck K, Verhaeghe S, Van Lierde K. Parents' perceptions on speech therapy delivery models in children with a cleft palate: A mixed methods study. International journal of pediatric otorhinolaryngology 2021. link 40 Alighieri C, Van Lierde K, De Caesemaeker AS, Demuynck K, Bruneel L, D'haeseleer E et al.. Is High-Intensity Speech Intervention Better? A Comparison of High-Intensity Intervention Versus Low-Intensity Intervention in Children With a Cleft Palate. Journal of speech, language, and hearing research : JSLHR 2021. link 41 Ruscello DM, Vallino LD. The Use of Nonspeech Oral Motor Exercises in the Treatment of Children With Cleft Palate: A Re-Examination of Available Evidence. American journal of speech-language pathology 2020. link 42 Pamplona MDC, Ysunza PA. Speech pathology telepractice for children with cleft palate in the times of COVID-19 pandemic. International journal of pediatric otorhinolaryngology 2020. link 43 Prathanee B, Pumnum T, Yoodee P, Makarabhirom K. Speech therapy model for patients with cleft palate in Lao People's Democratic Republic: Lack of speech services. International journal of pediatric otorhinolaryngology 2020. link 44 Alighieri C, Peersman W, Bettens K, Van Herreweghe V, Van Lierde K. Parental perceptions and expectations concerning speech therapy-related cleft care - a qualitative study. Journal of communication disorders 2020. link 45 Alighieri C, Bettens K, Bruneel L, Sseremba D, Musasizi D, Ojok I et al.. Comparison of motor-phonetic versus phonetic-phonological speech therapy approaches in patients with a cleft (lip and) palate: a study in Uganda. International journal of pediatric otorhinolaryngology 2020. link 46 Lindeborg MM, Shakya P, Pradhan B, Rai SK, Gurung KB, Niroula S et al.. A task-shifted speech therapy program for cleft palate patients in rural Nepal: Evaluating impact and associated healthcare barriers. International journal of pediatric otorhinolaryngology 2020. link 47 Ferreira GZ, Bressmann T, de Cássia Rillo Dutka J, Whitaker ME, de Boer G, de Castro Marino VC et al.. Analysis of oral-nasal balance after intensive speech therapy combined with speech bulb in speakers with cleft palate and hypernasality. Journal of communication disorders 2020. link 48 Alighieri C, Bettens K, Bruneel L, Vandormael C, Musasizi D, Ojok I et al.. Intensive speech therapy in Ugandan patients with cleft (lip and) palate: a pilot-study assessing long-term effectiveness. International journal of pediatric otorhinolaryngology 2019. link 49 Bruneel L, Alighieri C, De Smet S, Bettens K, De Bodt M, Van Lierde K. Health-related quality of life in patients with cleft palate: Reproducibility, responsiveness and construct validity of the Dutch version of the VELO questionnaire. International journal of pediatric otorhinolaryngology 2019. link 50 Bruneel L, Bettens K, Van Lierde K. The relationship between health-related quality of life and speech in patients with cleft palate. International journal of pediatric otorhinolaryngology 2019. link 51 Verheije R, Kupchik GS, Isidor B, Kroes HY, Lynch SA, Hawkes L et al.. Heterozygous loss-of-function variants of MEIS2 cause a triad of palatal defects, congenital heart defects, and intellectual disability. European journal of human genetics : EJHG 2019. link 52 Cote V, Schwartz M, Arbouin Vargas JF, Canfarotta M, Kavanagh KR, Hamdan U et al.. 3-Dimensional printed haptic simulation model to teach incomplete cleft palate surgery in an international setting. International journal of pediatric otorhinolaryngology 2018. link 53 Pamplona MDC, Ysunza PA. Deliberate Practice: Preliminary Results of a Useful Strategy for Correcting Articulation in Children With Cleft Palate. The Journal of craniofacial surgery 2018. link 54 Nyberg J, Neovius E, Lohmander A. Speech outcomes at 5 and 10 years of age after one-stage palatal repair with muscle reconstruction in children born with isolated cleft palate. Journal of plastic surgery and hand surgery 2018. link 55 Wren Y, Humphries K, Stock NM, Rumsey N, Lewis S, Davies A et al.. Setting up a cohort study in speech and language therapy: lessons from The UK Cleft Collective Speech and Language (CC-SL) study. International journal of language & communication disorders 2018. link 56 Willadsen E, Boers M, Schöps A, Kisling-Møller M, Nielsen JB, Jørgensen LD et al.. Influence of timing of delayed hard palate closure on articulation skills in 3-year-old Danish children with unilateral cleft lip and palate. International journal of language & communication disorders 2018. link 57 Lohmander A, Persson C, Willadsen E, Lundeborg I, Alaluusua S, Aukner R et al.. Scandcleft randomised trials of primary surgery for unilateral cleft lip and palate: 4. Speech outcomes in 5-year-olds - velopharyngeal competency and hypernasality. Journal of plastic surgery and hand surgery 2017. link 58 Willadsen E, Lohmander A, Persson C, Lundeborg I, Alaluusua S, Aukner R et al.. Scandcleft randomised trials of primary surgery for unilateral cleft lip and palate: 5. Speech outcomes in 5-year-olds - consonant proficiency and errors. Journal of plastic surgery and hand surgery 2017. link 59 Naran S, Ford M, Losee JE. What's New in Cleft Palate and Velopharyngeal Dysfunction Management?. Plastic and reconstructive surgery 2017. link 60 Yen DW, Nguyen DC, Skolnick GB, Naidoo SD, Patel KB, Grames LM et al.. A Comparison of the Need for Speech Therapy After 2 Palatal Repair Techniques. Annals of plastic surgery 2017. link 61 Skladman R, Grames LM, Skolnick G, Nguyen DC, Naidoo SD, Patel KB et al.. Adult Quality of Life Post Cleft Palate Repair: A Comparison of Two Techniques. The Journal of craniofacial surgery 2017. link 62 Derakhshandeh F, Nikmaram M, Hosseinabad HH, Memarzadeh M, Taheri M, Omrani M et al.. Speech characteristics after articulation therapy in children with cleft palate and velopharyngeal dysfunction - A single case experimental design. International journal of pediatric otorhinolaryngology 2016. link 63 Aydınlı FE, Özcebe E, Kulak Kayıkçı ME, Yılmaz T, Özgür FF. Investigating the Effects of Glottal Stop Productions on Voice in Children With Cleft Palate Using Multidimensional Voice Assessment Methods. Journal of voice : official journal of the Voice Foundation 2016. link 64 Luyten A, Bettens K, D'haeseleer E, Hodges A, Galiwango G, Vermeersch H et al.. Short-term effect of short, intensive speech therapy on articulation and resonance in Ugandan patients with cleft (lip and) palate. Journal of communication disorders 2016. link 65 Brock LJ, Economou AD, Cobourne MT, Green JB. Mapping cellular processes in the mesenchyme during palatal development in the absence of Tbx1 reveals complex proliferation changes and perturbed cell packing and polarity. Journal of anatomy 2016. link 66 Pamplona Mdel C, Ysunza PA, Sarre P, Morales S, Sterling M. The effectiveness of mentoring speech and language pathology students when they face patients with cleft palate. International journal of pediatric otorhinolaryngology 2015. link 67 Piotet E, Beguin C, Broome M, Iglesias K, Olivier F, Leuchter I et al.. Rhinopharyngeal autologous fat injection for treatment of velopharyngeal insufficiency in patients with cleft palate. European archives of oto-rhino-laryngology : official journal of the European Federation of Oto-Rhino-Laryngological Societies (EUFOS) : affiliated with the German Society for Oto-Rhino-Laryngology - Head and Neck Surgery 2015. link 68 Makarabhirom K, Prathanee B, Suphawatjariyakul R, Yoodee P. Speech Therapy for Children with Cleft Lip and Palate Using a Community-Based Speech Therapy Model with Speech Assistants. Journal of the Medical Association of Thailand = Chotmaihet thangphaet 2015. link 69 Conley SF. CPCJ 50th Anniversary Editorial Board Commentary: Otolaryngology--then and now. The Cleft palate-craniofacial journal : official publication of the American Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association 2014. link 70 Caterson EJ, Tsai DM, Cauley R, Dowdall JR, Tracy LE. Transillumination of the occult submucous cleft palate. The Journal of craniofacial surgery 2014. link 71 Kummer AW. Speech evaluation for patients with cleft palate. Clinics in plastic surgery 2014. link 72 Nyberg J, Peterson P, Lohmander A. Speech outcomes at age 5 and 10 years in unilateral cleft lip and palate after one-stage palatal repair with minimal incision technique - a longitudinal perspective. International journal of pediatric otorhinolaryngology 2014. link 73 Scherer NJ. Speech therapy where there are no speech therapists: the task force for the american cleft palate-craniofacial association. The Cleft palate-craniofacial journal : official publication of the American Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association 2014. link 74 Sommerlad BC. International confederation for cleft lip and palate and related craniofacial anomalies task force report: palatoplasty in the speaking individual with unrepaired cleft palate. The Cleft palate-craniofacial journal : official publication of the American Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association 2014. link 75 Prathaneel B, Makarabhirom K, Jaiyong P, Pradubwong S. Khon Kaen: a community-based speech therapy model for an area lacking in speech services for clefts. The Southeast Asian journal of tropical medicine and public health 2014. link 76 Klintö K, Eva-Kristina-Salameh, Olsson M, Flynn T, Svensson H, Lohmander A. Phonology in Swedish-speaking 3-year-olds born with cleft lip and palate and the relationship with consonant production at 18 months. International journal of language & communication disorders 2014. link 77 Pradubwong S, Mongkholthawornchai S, Keawkhamsean N, Patjanasoontorn N, Chowchuen B. Clinical outcomes of primary palatoplasty in pre-school-aged cleft palate children in Srinagarind hospital: quality of life. Journal of the Medical Association of Thailand = Chotmaihet thangphaet 2014. link 78 Sullivan SR, Jung YS, Mulliken JB. Outcomes of cleft palatal repair for internationally adopted children. Plastic and reconstructive surgery 2014. link 79 Luyten A, Bettens K, D'haeseleer E, De Ley S, Hodges A, Galiwango G et al.. The impact of palatal repair before and after 6 months of age on speech characteristics. International journal of pediatric otorhinolaryngology 2014. link 80 Woisard V, Noirrit-Esclassan E, Vandrebeck V, Al Hawat A, Galinier P, Lauwers F. Impact of obturation of palatal fistulae on speech quality and aerodynamic parameters in patients with cleft palates. Folia phoniatrica et logopaedica : official organ of the International Association of Logopedics and Phoniatrics (IALP) 2013. link 81 Krochmal DJ, Zajac DJ, Alhudaib OM, Emodi O, van Aalst JA. The assessment of velopharyngeal function using nasal ram pressure testing following palatoplasty. The Cleft palate-craniofacial journal : official publication of the American Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association 2013. link 82 Bessell A, Sell D, Whiting P, Roulstone S, Albery L, Persson M et al.. Speech and language therapy interventions for children with cleft palate: a systematic review. The Cleft palate-craniofacial journal : official publication of the American Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association 2013. link 83 Ha KM, Cleland H, Greensmith A, Chong D, Macgill K, Verhoeven A et al.. Submucous cleft palate: an often-missed diagnosis. The Journal of craniofacial surgery 2013. link 84 Mildinhall S. Speech and language in the patient with cleft palate. Frontiers of oral biology 2012. link 85 Whitehead E, Dorfman V, Tremper G, Kramer A, Sigler A, Gosman A. Telemedicine as a means of effective speech evaluation for patients with cleft palate. Annals of plastic surgery 2012. link 86 Prathanee B. Development of speech services for people with cleft palate in Thailand: lack of professionals. Journal of the Medical Association of Thailand = Chotmaihet thangphaet 2012. link 87 Neumann S, Romonath R. Effectiveness of nasopharyngoscopic biofeedback in clients with cleft palate speech: a systematic review. Logopedics, phoniatrics, vocology 2012. link 88 Cu SR, Sidman JD. Rates and risks of gastrostomy tubes in infants with cleft palate. Archives of otolaryngology--head & neck surgery 2011. link 89 Sahoo T, Theisen A, Sanchez-Lara PA, Marble M, Schweitzer DN, Torchia BS et al.. Microdeletion 20p12.3 involving BMP2 contributes to syndromic forms of cleft palate. American journal of medical genetics. Part A 2011. link 90 Bressmann T, Radovanovic B, Kulkarni GV, Klaiman P, Fisher D. An ultrasonographic investigation of cleft-type compensatory articulations of voiceless velar stops. Clinical linguistics & phonetics 2011. link 91 Kummer AW. Speech therapy for errors secondary to cleft palate and velopharyngeal dysfunction. Seminars in speech and language 2011. link 92 Van Lierde KM, Van Borsel J, Cardinael A, Reeckmans S, Bonte K. The impact of vocal intensity and pitch modulation on nasalance scores: a pilot study. Folia phoniatrica et logopaedica : official organ of the International Association of Logopedics and Phoniatrics (IALP) 2011. link 93 Karnell MP. Instrumental assessment of velopharyngeal closure for speech. Seminars in speech and language 2011. link 94 Prathanee B. Cost effectiveness of speech camps for children with cleft palate in Thailand. Journal of the Medical Association of Thailand = Chotmaihet thangphaet 2011. link 95 Klintö K, Salameh EK, Svensson H, Lohmander A. The impact of speech material on speech judgement in children with and without cleft palate. International journal of language & communication disorders 2011. link 96 Di Renzo F, Broccia ML, Giavini E, Menegola E. Stage-dependent abnormalities induced by the fungicide triadimefon in the mouse. Reproductive toxicology (Elmsford, N.Y.) 2011. link 97 Andersson EM, Sandvik L, Abyholm F, Semb G. Clefts of the secondary palate referred to the Oslo Cleft Team: epidemiology and cleft severity in 994 individuals. The Cleft palate-craniofacial journal : official publication of the American Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association 2010. link 98 Chetpakdeechit W, Mohlin B, Persson C, Hagberg C. Cleft extension and risks of other birth defects in children with isolated cleft palate. Acta odontologica Scandinavica 2010. link 99 Lohmander A, Henriksson C, Havstam C. Electropalatography in home training of retracted articulation in a Swedish child with cleft palate: effect on articulation pattern and speech. International journal of speech-language pathology 2010. link 100 Hodges S, Wilson J, Hodges A. Plastic and reconstructive surgery in Uganda--10 years experience. Paediatric anaesthesia 2009. link