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Cleft lip and cleft palate-Birth Abnormalities
Introduction
Openings or cracks in the upper lip, the palate, or both are known as cleft lip and cleft palate,
respectively
...

The most prevalent birth malformations are cleft lip and cleft palate
...

Although having a child with a cleft can be upsetting, cleft lip and palate can be fixed
...


Symptoms
A split (cleft) in the lip or palate is typically obvious from birth
...




A lip split that only looks like a tiny notch in the lip or that extends through the upper gum
and palate and into the base of the nose



A gap in the roof of the mouth that has no impact on facial appearance

Less frequently, a cleft only affects the soft palate muscles (submucous cleft palate), which are in the
back of the mouth and protected by the lining of the mouth
...
Submucous cleft palate
symptoms and signs can include:





Having trouble eating
swallowing issues that could cause food or fluids to leak out of the nose
speaking with a nasal tone
persistent ear infections

When to see a doctor
Your doctor may begin coordinating care when they discover that your child has a cleft lip and palate,
which is typically discovered at birth
...


Causes
When tissues in the baby's face and mouth don't correctly fuse, cleft lip and cleft palate develop
...
However, the fusion either never happens or happens partially in infants with cleft lip
and cleft palate, leaving an opening
...
A concrete cause isn't found in many infants
...
Sometimes a
baby inherits a gene that increases their risk of developing a cleft, but the cleft is actually brought on
by an environmental factor
...
Cleft babies are more likely to be born to parents who have a family history
of cleft lip or cleft palate
...
Pregnant women who smoke, drink, or
take certain medications may be at an increased risk of developing cleft lip and palate
...
According to some evidence, pregnant women who were previously
diagnosed with diabetes may be more likely to give birth to children who have cleft lips or
palates
...
There is some evidence to suggest that children
born to obese mothers may be more likely to develop cleft lip and palate
...
Females are more
likely to have cleft palate without cleft lip
...


Prevention
Parents are understandably worried about the potential of having another child with the same problem
once a kid is born with a cleft
...
Before getting pregnant, let your doctor know if there is a
family history of cleft lip and palate
...

Take prenatal vitamins
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Don't use tobacco or alcohol
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