Research

When it comes to clefts, there is still so much that is unknown. A core principle of CLEFT is to invest in research projects that study the cause and treatment of clefts. Clinical research is not usually funded by the NHS or pharmaceutical companies however, the progression of knowledge and understanding of clefts is a key component in improving the methods used by surgeons, speech therapists and other medical professionals. The research that CLEFT funds is with an aim of treating and providing quality, long-term care for all people born with clefts, both in the UK and overseas.

Some of the questions we are looking at answering are:

Why do clefts occur?
Which surgical techniques offer the best chance to successful outcomes?
Can we reduce the incidence of hearing problems in children with cleft palate?
To aid speech, can we improve the way in which palate muscles work?
Can we identify which genes have a role in clefts?

Read our Research stories here

Latest

Serpentine Six Mile Swim Challenge!

I am raising money to support the vital research projects that are championed by CLEFT.
Matthew's Swim Serpentine Challenge

Support Matthew as he Swims the Half-Mile Swim Serpentine for CLEFT on Saturday 14th September in London's Hyde Park.
Tallulah Denyer raising money for CLEFT

I am raising money to provide long-term, sustainable ways to improve cleft care both in the UK and overseas.
Nefer's Taking on the Serpentine Lake

Nefer is thrilled to participate in the Swim Serpentine 2024 1-Mile Challenge, where she will swim a full lap of the iconic Serpentine Lake in Hyde Park, London, to raise money for CLEFT. This event is an exciting opportunity for Nefer to combine her love of swimming with her passion for supporting those affected by cleft conditions

National Institute of Burns and Plastic Surgery

We are working with Bangladeshi specialists at the new National Institute of Burns and Plastic Surgery to create a sustainable centre to treat children with cleft lip and palate.
Our mission

CLEFT was established in 2007 with one aim, to help improve the lives of children born with cleft lip and palate, either by funding research into the likely causes of the condition or by helping support teams in lower and middle income countries.
Nawrin and the C-Arm

This important piece of equipment was supplied by CLEFT and is used to see moving images of the cleft palate. Nawrin is a 13 year old girl who was experiencing speech difficulties and needed the C-Arm to show the cleft team if further surgery was required.
Donate

You can make a one-off donation today or sign up to giving a regular monthly gift. All donations, small or large, will help us to improve the lives of those born with cleft lip and palate both now and in the future. 100% of your donation today will go towards funding an international or research project thanks to a charitable trust covering all our administrative costs until February 2025.
About us

CLEFT was established in 2007 by cleft surgeon Brian Sommerlad - based at Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children, together with a former patient and a patient's grandmother.
Our research vision

At CLEFT, our vision is of a future where clefts are preventable. Until we get there, we want to improve the lives of those born with cleft lip and palate.
Trusts and Foundations

Today, 1-in-700 babies in the UK are born with a cleft lip and palate, the most common form of birth defect. The impact on a child’s life as they grow is profound. Typically, they will need at least four operations. They may also require ongoing tests, treatment or therapy. It will affect the way they look but also their speech, hearing and dental development. It can leave deep psychological scars.
The genetics of cleft lip and palate

Investigations into the genetics of cleft lip and palate to understand more about why cleft lip and palate occurs.
Brian Sommerlad, Consultant Plastic Surgeon and Chair of Trustees

For over 40 years, I have been involved in operating on babies, children and adults who have been born with cleft lip and/or palate.
FOXF2 gene discovery

A genetic defect has been identified in a family from Egypt with a type of palate abnormality and speech disorder apparently not previously described. The FOXF2 research is one of the many projects currently funded by CLEFT, paid for with money raised by our donors and fundraisers.