Child wearing a large blue hair bow and floral shirt, smiling.

Baby wearing a baseball cap with a rainbow design, and a patterned outfit, smiling at the camera.

Smiling child wearing plaid pajamas on a white background.

Smiling baby in red and black plaid clothing

Smiling child with long hair, wearing a black shirt, on a white background.

Young boy smiling in a blue shirt with tree patterns on a white background.

Smiling baby wearing a white bow and peach outfit with small white hearts, and medical tubing attached.

Baby with blond hair wearing a green and white gingham outfit on a white background.

Smiling baby in light blue outfit with arms raised.

Young woman with dark hair and a ng feeding tube, wearing a patterned blouse, smiling against a white background.

Smiling child resting arms on a surface with a white background.

Smiling child holding a "First Day of Pre-K" sign.

Smiling baby in a burgundy outfit with bow headband, holding a wooden disc, white background.

Young child in orange shirt with short blonde hair, smiling.

Cute baby in a knitted sweater and floral dress, sitting with a surprised expression.

Baby wearing a colorful rainbow-patterned outfit, looking upwards.

Young person wearing a Boston Red Sox cap and a brown shirt, smiling with a lanyard around their neck. White background.

Smiling baby wearing a pink dress and flower headband

Portrait of a smiling person with short hair and a beard, wearing a blue shirt and navy hoodie.

A young girl with long brown hair and a pink hair clip, wearing a pink shirt, with her chin resting on her hand, looking upward pensively.

Smiling child with a tracheostomy tube in a black vest, hands on head, against a white background.

The Hidden Cleft

It’s estimated a baby is born with a laryngeal cleft every day in the United States. Globally, thousands are born every year.

What It Is:

an abnormal opening in the airway

What It Does:

causes choking, swallowing, and breathing problems

Watch baby Boston's video journey to understand what it’s like to have a child with a type 4 laryngeal cleft. Special thanks to Tracy Patterson Photography.

How It Impacts:

Some babies choke and inhale milk into their airway when they try to drink.

Some cannot drink at all.

Tragically, in severe cases, some will die.

How We Help

Laryngeal Cleft Network unites the entire laryngeal cleft community in order to improve the lives of children born with this birth defect.

Our website serves as a hub where parents and medical providers can get information and resources, share experiences and knowledge, and provide hope and support.

We invite you to explore our website, spread the word, and get involved.

Together, we can close the gap.

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Our Impact

Our Programs

Clefts 101

What is a laryngeal cleft? Learn about the symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment.

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Travel Grants

Get help with the financial burden of traveling to access expert medical care.

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Hero Journeys

Learn how other families navigated their child's journey with a laryngeal cleft.

Read Journeys
The Parent Lounge

Share recommendations and advice with others who have walked this journey.

Share Experiences
Research Connections

Participate in research to help scientists determine the cause of this birth defect.

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LCN Facebook Community

Get advice and support for your child while being part of the solution.

Join the community