During a prenatal ultrasound, Lynnox Peterson’s mom, Antonia, was told that her daughter would be born with unilateral cleft lip. According to KidsHealth, a cleft palate with a unilateral cleft lip is a common birth condition in which a baby's lip and palate (roof of mouth) don't form completely. As a result, there is a split or opening (cleft) on one side of the lip that can extend all the way from the nose to the back of the palate. “I was four months pregnant when they told me that Lynnox would be born with a cleft lip,” says Antonia. Although this news was scary to Antonia, she didn’t let it take away from her excitement of bringing a baby girl into this world.
When Lynnox was born she also had a cleft palate. “The first two months were very scary. Learning how to feed and position Lynnox the right way was something I never thought I’d have to learn,” says Antonia. Lynnox was "small but feisty" as her mother described her. Antonia knew with this type of attitude Lynnox would be able to take on anything – including surgery.
At just four months old, Lynnox was scheduled to have her cleft lip and palate repaired by Christopher Gordon, MD, FACS, FAAP, division chief of plastic and reconstructive surgery at Dayton Children's Hospital and the cleft lip/cleft palate team. At Dayton Children’s, the cleft lip/cleft palate team provides comprehensive, multidisciplinary care for children with cleft lip, cleft palate and other craniofacial conditions. These children have complex medical needs that affect many aspects of life, from eating to hearing to speech, so close follow-up and care coordination are essential.
“At first I was extremely scared, no one wants their child to have surgery,” says Antonia. “But once I met everyone on the plastics team, I was very comfortable. The team is like family to me now.”
Lynnox’s surgery went great and her progression has been amazing. Just a few weeks post-op and Lynnox is starting to make sounds and giggle. “Lynnox is now five months and she has started crawling, and playing with toys, and has the most beautiful smile,” says Antonia. “Lynnox also loves when I sing to her. She has even started mocking me and trying to sing along.”
