Clefts of the lip and palate, weight gain and surgeries: breast milk versus milk formulas

摘要

Clefts of the lip and palate are the most common craniofacial anomalies in humans. In turn, with the purpose of gain of body weight necessary to perform the rehabilitative surgeries, an alternative routinely used for children with clefts is the use of industrialized milk formulas, as a breast milk substitute or even a feeding supplementation. However, the awareness of mothers and other caregivers of this group of children is indispensable on the importance of breastfeeding and its additional benefits, which even put into questioning the necessity and feasibility of the prescription of these formulas in the cases where breastfeeding is possible. Moreover, the type of feeding, breastfeeding or artificial milk is of eminent importance, having direct influence in the composition of the gastrointestinal microbiota and the impact possibilities on the immunomodulation of these individuals.