management
Last reviewed 01/2018
These babies should be nursed prone to prevent cyanotic and choking episodes as well as the risk of aspiration pneumonia.
Anterior fixation of the tongue surgically may be necessary, or alternatively, a dental prosthesis may be used to fill in the cleft and prevent the tongue from falling back into the nasopharynx.
Development of jaw can be stimulated by actively forcing the tongue forward; this can be achieved with a nasopharygeal tube situated just above the epiglottis. This is changed every week or so for the first six months of life.