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What is cleft lip and cleft palate?

Cleft lip and cleft palate are birth defects. They happen when a baby’s lip or mouth don’t form correctly early in pregnancy. The word cleft means split or break. Cleft lip is an opening in the upper lip and nose. Cleft palate is an opening in the roof of the mouth (palate).

Babies can have a cleft lip, cleft palate, or both. A cleft may affect one side of the lip or palate, or both sides.

Symptoms of cleft lip and cleft palate

The major symptom is the presence of the cleft at birth. A cleft lip could be as small as a tiny notch in the upper lip. It could also be as large as a split or hole that goes up into the nose. A cleft palate could be just a small area that isn’t formed properly. But it also could be a large separation in the roof of the mouth.

Children who have clefts often have other health issues. They can have trouble eating and talking. They may also have hearing problems, problems with their ears, or problems with their teeth.

What causes cleft lip and cleft palate?

Cleft lip and cleft palate are defects that occur early in pregnancy. A baby’s facial features develop in the first trimester (3 months). The lips form first, followed by the mouth and palate. Clefts occur if the tissues and cells don’t form right. Cleft lip and cleft palate can occur by themselves. They also can be part of another condition or syndrome.

No one knows exactly what causes clefts. Healthcare providers believe it’s due to factors from genetics or the environment. There are certain things that could increase your risk of having a baby with a cleft. These include:

• Having a family history of cleft lip or palate.
• Using tobacco, drugs, or alcohol during pregnancy.
• Not getting enough nutrients during pregnancy, such as folic acid.
• Having diabetes before pregnancy.
• Taking certain medicines, such as some for epilepsy, during pregnancy.
• Being obese during pregnancy.
• Having certain infections during pregnancy, such as rubella (German measles).

How is cleft lip and cleft palate diagnosed?

Cleft lip and cleft palate are usually diagnosed at birth during the baby’s first examination. Sometimes your healthcare provider can see it on a routine ultrasound. This is an imaging test done throughout your pregnancy.

Can cleft lip and cleft palate be prevented or avoided?

The exact cause of these birth defects is unknown. So, you cannot prevent or avoid them. But there are steps you can take to lower your risk of having a baby with a birth defect. These include:

• Taking folic acid before and during pregnancy.
• Avoiding tobacco, drugs, and alcohol during pregnancy.
• Getting to a healthy weight before pregnancy and not gaining too much weight during pregnancy.
• Getting vaccinations and protecting yourself from infections.

Talk to your healthcare provider about these and other ways to help reduce the chance of birth defects.

Cleft lip and cleft palate treatment

The treatment for cleft lip and cleft palate depends on a few key factors. These include the type of cleft and your baby’s overall health. Clefts can cause problems with a child’s development. So, treatment is recommended to start as early as possible.

Most babies who have a cleft lip, cleft palate, or both will need some type of surgery. Some children will need more surgeries as they grow.

Living with cleft lip or cleft palate

Over time, most children need added treatment to manage their related issues. Some follow-up problems include:

• Ear tubes, for hearing loss or fluid buildup.
• Dental care, for any teeth or mouth issues.
• Speech therapy, for language difficulties.

Adults who had cleft lip or cleft palate as a child may have some lasting effects. But with early treatment, most live normal and healthy lives. You do have a chance of passing the birth defect to your children. This is a low percentage though, as most cleft cases are random.