A Review of Psychosocial Risks and Management for Children with Cleft Lip and/or Palate

Abstract

This article reviews the psychosocial risks associated with congenital craniofacial conditions with a specific focus on the most common condition, cleft lip and/or palate (CL/P). Risks will be detailed from infancy through adolescence for both children and their families. Families of children with CL/P are at risk for adjustment problems, which may in turn impact child social and behavioral functioning. Children with CL/P are vulnerable to internalizing and externalizing problems, social stigmatization, as well as learning problems. Children and their families may also experience distress related to surgery and other aspects of their cleft treatment. Strategies for addressing psychosocial risks including provision of condition-specific education, enhancement of social support, and utilization of regular screening and referral to empirically supported psychological interventions will be described.