Happens when the lower esophageal sphincter does not close all the way. This results in acid, produced by the stomach, moving up into the esophagus.

The bony ridge or raised thickened border of the upper or lower jaw that contains the sockets of the teeth.

A medical procedure used in prenatal diagnosis of chromosomal abnormalities and fetal infections.

A specially trained medical professional that administers anesthesia.

Controls pain and maintains vital functions during surgery or other medical procedures.

Types of medications that destroy or slow down the growth of bacteria.

These are large Y-shaped protein produced by B-cells that is used by the immune system to identify and neutralize foreign objects such as bacteria and viruses

APGAR is a quick test performed on a baby at one and five minutes after birth. The one-minute score determines how well the baby tolerated the birthing process. The five-minute score tells the doctor how well the babyis doing outside the mother's womb.

A device that measures how well you breathe

To suck in, accidentally drawing material into the lungs.

A specialist in communication disorders stemming from a hearing impairment will assess and monitor hearing.

The study of hearing and hearing related disorders.

A cleft that affects both sides of the mouth or lip areas.

An abnormality in the bone or marrow.

In the case of a cleft, this surgical procedure involves taking a small amount of bone from one place (most often the hip) and placing it in the space of the cleft near the teeth.

A fissure in the upper lip due to fusion failure of the left and right sides of the lip tissue. It can occur side only or on both sides

A cleft palate is a split or opening in the roof of the mouth, it can affect the hard and/or soft palate.

Slang term for someone with a cleft lip and/or palate.

Medication used to treat infertility in women

The inner part of the ear responsible for hearing

Narcotic pain medicine used to treat mild to moderate pain.

A treatment that uses mild air pressure to keep the airway open; typically used by people who have breathing problems.

Relating to the cranium and the face

A birth defect in which one or more of the joints between the bones of the infant's skull prematurely, before the brain is fully formed.

A surgical procedure used to deliver a baby through an incision in the mother's abdomen and a second incision in the mother's uterus.

An upper lip with two strong curves in it.

A physical blemish or distortion.

Tape that pre-surgically reduces orofacial cleft for best possible surgical results. It gently guides the soft tissue and bone of the cleft lip and cleft palate into better position for repair.

A narrowed ear canal; one in which the eardrum can be viewed, but the canal is more narrow than normal.

Tiny cylinders placed through the eardrum to allow air into the middle ear. Often recommended when a person experiences repeated middle ear infection or has hearing loss caused by the persistent presence of middle ear fluid.

A program designed to improve outcomes for children with disabilities by providing early, appropriate, and intensive interventions.

Physicians trained in the medical or surgical management and treatment of patients with diseases and disorders of the ear, nose, throat, and related structures of the head and neck. (See also 'ORL').

Children whose current weight or rate of weight gain is significantly lower than that of children of similar age and gender.

A tube that may be put directly into the stomach through the abdominal skin if a person is having ongoing and serious trouble swallowing and can't get enough food or liquids by mouth. The tube allows internal feeding to occur by bypassing the mouth and esophagus.

A fistula occurs when the palate fails to fully heal and an opening or hole appears in the palate post palate surgery.

Denture adhesive cream; has been used for cleft children to keep a cleft device in.

When an infant or child refuses to accept food by mouth or when they are not accepting the developmentally appropriate amount, variety, or type of food by mouth.

A plastic surgery technique that is used to improve the functional and cosmetic appearance of scars

A tube placed in the stomach to provide another way to offer food and/or medicines or to vent the stomach for air or drainage.

The surgical placement of a feeding tube through the skin and the stomach wall, directly into the stomach

A feeding tube placed through a baby's nose to carry breast milk or formula to the stomach. Used for babies who cannot get enough nutrition by bottle or breast feedings alone.

When one or more genes or chromosomes are missing, mutated, or if extra are present, the proteins may not get made, may be made incorrectly, or too many may be made causing abnormal developmental and growth. Sometimes these abnormal genes or chromosomes are passed down from a parent or sometimes they occur spontaneously without reason.

The study of genes, their functions, and their effects.

An individual trained in diagnostic and therapeutic procedures for patients with genetically-linked diseases.

A commercially prepared substance that is mostly water with a small amount of sugar added. The solution is pre-prepared and ready to feed. Many hospital nurseries have glucose water on hand for treatment of hypoglycemia.

Tiny tubes that are inserted in the ear to treat trapped fluid in the middle ear that can result in infection and hearing loss.

See 'Medela Special Needs Feeder'

The bony anterior part of the palate forming the roof of the mouth.

Too much amniotic fluid surrounding an unborn infant that can occur if the developing baby does not swallow and absorb amniotic fluid in normal amounts.

A condition characterized by severe nausea, vomiting, weight loss, and electrolyte disturbance.

An elevated scar that is typically more stiff than the surrounding skin and usually regresses over time.

A small, lightweight, portable, and adaptable pump built to simplify internal feeding. It safely and accurately delivers any nutritional regimen without compromising quality of life.

Solutions administered directly into the venous circulation via syringe or intravenous catheter (tube).

The introduction of a tube into a hollow organ (as the trachea or intestine) to keep it open or restore its patency if obstructed.

A tube inserted through the abdomen and into the jejunum (the middle section of the small intestine) to assist with feeding and to provide nutrition.

A health care professional who specializes in the clinical management of breastfeeding and provides information and support to help prevent and manage common concerns.

A congenital softening of the tissues of the larynx (voice box) above the vocal cords.

A device used to maintain or reposition the segments of the palate prior to surgical repair.

Preoperative taping across a cleft lip causing soft tissue mobilization and alveolar modeling that allows single stage lip/nasal surgical repair.

An infection of the breast tissue that results in breast pain, swelling, warmth, and redness of the breast.

A doctor experienced in a wide variety of complex maternal-fetal conditions and offers specialized care of pregnant women and their fetuses.

A soft squeeze bottle with long cross cut nipple designed to be pulse-squeezed with baby's suck and swallowing.

The bottle of choice for much of the cleft lip and palate population. This bottle has a one way valve that helps reduce the amount of air the baby takes in and also has a squeezable teat to help assist the baby in feeding. The teat is squeezed to provide the baby with an adequate amount of formula with the least amount of effort. Formerly known as the Haberman bottle.

A feeding tube which enters the stomach through the feeding and medication port in the abdominal wall allowing the intake of nutrients, medication, and water that your body requires.

A mild expression of cleft lip, one in which the lip is fully intact, but scar-like line is seen in the cleft area.

A non-surgical method of reshaping the gums, lip, and nostris before cleft lip and palate surgery, lessening the severity of the cleft.

The vaulted chamber that lies between the floor of the cranium and the roof of the mouth.

Small silicone tube holding the position of the nostril during the healing time after surgery.

A cleft device designed to mold and shape the nasal area (See also NAM)

A device placed in the nostril prior to surgery in order to reshape the nose for better results.

Small, hollow, rubbery tubes that may be stitched or taped into nostrils to give support to the nasal cartilage after surgery so it keeps its new shape and size.

A flexible, bidirectional tube that is passed through the nose and down through the nasopharynx and esophagus into the stomach. It can be used to remove the contents of the stomach or to put substances into the stomach.

A section of the hospital with specialized equipment and highly trained doctors and nurses that provide round the clock care to sick or premature infants.

Pediatric arm immobilizers also referred to as pediatric splints or pediatric arm restraints.

A physician offering a variety of women's health services and trained to manage complications during pregnancy, birth, and postpartum.

Doctors specialized in obstetrics and gynecology for the care of women to include the preconception, pregnancy, labor, childbirth, and postpartum period. OB-GYNS are also trained in woman's general health care, hormonal disorders, treatment of infections, and surgery to correct or treat pelvic organ or urinary tract problems

A potentially serious sleep disorder in which breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep.

A prosthetic device that closes or blocks up an opening such as a fistulas in the palate.

An individual trained to treat patients with injuries, illnesses, or disabilities through the therapeutic use of everyday activities.

The unit of a hospital where surgical procedures are performed.

The surgical specialists of the dental profession with extensive education and training, surgical expertise, and unp[aralelled understanding of esthetics and function to uniquely qualify them to treat the conditions, defects, injuries, and esthetic aspects of the mouth, teeth, jaws, and face.

Diagnose and manage diseases of the ears, nose, sinuses, larynx, mouth, and throat, as well as structures of the neck and face. (See also 'ENT').

A dentist with advanced training. They can realign crooked teeth into a straight, healthy smile.

Surgery that does not require an overnight hospital stay. Patients may go home after being released following surgery and time spent in the recovery room.

An appliance that fits into the roof of the mouth used to widen the palate to make room for crowded teeth and improve jaw function.

A surgical procedure used to correct or reconstruct the palate. The basic goals of this surgery are to close the abnormal opening between the nose and mouth and help the patient to develop normal speech in order to improve swallowing, breathing, and development of associated structures in the mouth.

A child's physician who provides preventive health maintenance for healthy children and medical care for children who are acutely or chronically ill.

A soft, plastic tube that is put into your stomach through your skin.

A doctor that specializes in the care of both the infant and the mother in the time just before and just after the baby is born. The perinatal period is generally marked at 22 completed weeks of gestation and lasts until seven completed days after birth.

A surgical procedure to correct or enhance the quality of your child's speech. Muscle tissue is transferred from the back of the throat or pharynx to the palate in order to narrow the nasal opening.

A multidisciplinary unit that provides high quality care for critically ill infants, children, and adolescents.

A combination of birth defects, which usually include a small lower jaw, cleft palate, and a tendency for the tongue to "ball up" in the back of the mouth.

A nipple which can be used with any bottle and works by compression only. A plastic one-way valve fits into the nipple to keep milk in the nipple. When the baby begins to suck, milk flows readily.

Surgeon that manages the repair, reconstruction, or replacement of physical defects of form or function involving the skin, musculoskeletal system, head, and facial structures, hands, extremities, breasts, and trunk as well as cosmetic enhancement of these areas.

A denture adhesive which has been used for cleft children to keep a cleft device in place.

A trained individual who studies mental processes and human behavior by observing, interpreting, and recording how people and other animals relate to one another and the environment.

An anxiety disorder that some people get after seeing or living through a dangerous or traumatic event.

A maternal blood screening test that looks for four specific substances: AFP, HCG, Estriol, and Inhibin-A.

An extra soft, shortened nipple for small or weak mouths; no suction needed.

Practitioners involved in the evaluation and monitoring of heart and lung function as well as giving treatment.

A nose surgery sometimes referred to as "nose reshaping" or a "nose job" which can improve the appearance and proportion of your nose, or correct a breathing problem associated with the nose.

A blood test which is done when a woman is between 16 and 18 weeks pregnant that is helpful in identifying high risk pregnancies and some types of birth defects.

A surgery meant to minimize a scar so that it is more consistent with your surrounding skin tone and texture.

A condition that exists when sensory signals are not organized into appropriate responses which prevents certain parts of the brain from receiving the information needed to interpret sensory information correctly. Motor clumsiness, behavioral problems, anxiety, depression, school failure, and other impacts may result if the disorder is not treated effectively.

A condition in which a child becomes fearful and nervous when away from home or separated from a loved one (usually a parent or other caregiver) to whom the child is attached.

A professional trained to provide a variety of services, ranging from psychotherapy to the administration of health and welfare programs. They help individuals, families, and groups change behaviors, emotions, attitudes, relationships, and social conditions to restore and enhance their capacity to meet their personal and social needs.

The soft tissue at the back of the hard palate that partially separates the mouth from the pharynx

A specialist with training in the diagnosis and treatment of a variety of speech, voice, and language disorders who works with people unable to make speech sounds or who cannot make them clearly.

Diagnose and treat communication and swallowing disorders in patients.

The palate appears to be structurally intact, but there are bony and/or muscular abnormalities underlying the skin's surface.

A microscopic surgical procedure to alter malformed structures of the upper larynx to allow a child with certain conditions to breathe more easily.

A latex free, conformable, hypoallergenic, elastic foam tape which stretches to make an ideal dressing for challenging areas and for specialist applications.

A soft squeezable 90ml bottle for use when syringe or cup feeding is recommended.

A room where operations are performed.

Small tubes inserted into the eardrụm in order to keep the middle ear aerated for a prolonged period of time, and to prevent the accumulation of fluid in the middle ear.

A cleft affecting one side of the face.

Any type of infection of the head and chest that is caused by a virus. It can affect your nose, throat, sinuses, ears, the tube that connects your middle ear and throat, windpipe, voice box, and airways.

A squeezable bag with an attached straw to simplify and ease eating and drinking for patients post-jaw surgery, or with head and neck cancer, oral-facial muscle weakness, and wired jaws.