Although the effects of cleft lip and palate on nasal airway size and breathing have been reported for adults, little information is available on children. The present study assessed the effect of age on nasal cross-sectional size and, in particular, whether type of cleft influenced the outcome. The results indicate that, while the cleft nose continues to grow with age, it remains about 30% smaller than the noncleft nose. The airway is smallest in patients with unilateral cleft lip and palate and is largest in those with bilateral clefts. The prevalence of oral breathing is considerably higher in the cleft population in comparison to noncleft.

Clefts of the lip and palate frequently produce nasal deformities that tend to reduce the size of the nasal airway. Approximately 70% of the cleft population have nasal airway impairment and about 80% "mouth-breathe" to some extent. Surgical correction of nasal, palatal, and pharyngeal structures may further compromise breathing. Type of cleft appears to affect airway size, with unilateral clefts demonstrating the smallest airway. Although a pharyngeal flap may further decrease airway size, some individuals do not notice a postoperative change because of airway compromise prior to flap placement. Speech is a modified breathing behavior that uses the respiratory system to provide an energy source and involves structures within the respiratory tract to modulate this energy into meaningful sounds. The oral, nasal, and pharyngeal structures that are affected by cleft lip and palate during breathing are often compromised for speech as well. The nasal airway plays an important role in controlling speech pressures when velopharyngeal function is impaired. A "good" nose for breathing is often a "bad" nose for speech under such circumstances.

Clefts of the lip and palate frequently produce nasal deformities that tend to reduce the size of the nasal airway. Approximately 70% of the cleft population have nasal airway impairment and about 80% “mouth-breathe” to some extent. Surgical correction of nasal, palatal, and pharyngeal structures may further compromise breathing. Type of cleft appears to affect airway size, with unilateral clefts demonstrating the smallest airway. Although a pharyngeal flap may further decrease airway size, some individuals do not notice a postoperative change because of airway compromise prior to flap placement. Speech is a modified breathing behavior that uses the respiratory system to provide an energy source and involves structures within the respiratory tract to modulate this energy into meaningful sounds. The oral, nasal, and pharyngeal structures that are affected by cleft lip and palate during breathing are often compromised for speech as well. The nasal airway plays an important role in controlling speech pressures when velopharyngeal function is impaired. A “good” nose for breathing is often a “bad” nose for speech under such circumstances.

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