Having a Child with Cleft Lip and Palate: Transformations in the Family

Abstract

Introduction: Cleft lip and palate are the most common congenital malformations and require long-term, multidisciplinary treatment, requiring the family to be involved in care from birth. The family plays a fundamental role in managing children with cleft lip and palate, and sometimes requires adaptations to better manage the care of their child. Objective: To understand the transformations in the families of children with cleft lip and palate. Method: This is a qualitative, descriptive, and exploratory study. Data were collected through interviews with 14 family members of children with cleft lip and palate. Participants were recruited using the snowball method. Results: Through content analysis, five thematic categories were identified: Waiting for the perfect child; Dedicating exclusively to the child;

Changing your network relationships; Choosing not to have another child; Experiencing suffering throu-
gh hope in faith. Conclusion: The family management was focused on the needs arising from the child's

condition. The family's daily routine was restructured to provide better support for the child and better
adaptation to the family's new reality. Health professionals need to understand family management to
strengthen the family and integrate the child into the family context.

dicando-se exclusivamente a criança; Mudando sua rede de relacionamentos; Optando por não ter mais filho; Vivenciando o sofrimento por meio da esperança na fé. Conclusão: O manejo familiar foi voltado as necessárias provenientes da condição da criança. O cotidiano da família foi reestruturado buscando um melhor suporte para a sua criança e uma maior adaptação à nova realidade desta família. Aos profissionais de saúde faz-se necessário o conhecimento das o manejo familiar visando o fortalecimento da família, assim como a inserção da criança no contexto familiar.