What Is Cleft Lip and Palate?
A cleft lip and palate are congenital conditions where there is an opening or gap in the upper lip and/or the roof of the mouth (palate). These openings occur during fetal development when the tissues that form the lip and palate do not fully fuse. As a result, a visible gap in the upper lip (cleft lip) or an opening in the roof of the mouth (cleft palate) may be present.
What Causes Cleft Lip and Palate?
The exact cause of cleft lip and palate is not always clear, but it is believed to involve a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Genetic factors may contribute, and certain environmental factors during pregnancy, such as exposure to tobacco smoke, alcohol, certain medications, or infections, may increase the risk.
diagnosed shortly after birth during a physical examination. In some cases, prenatal imaging, such as ultrasound, may detect the condition before birth. Additional diagnostic tests and imaging may be performed to assess the extent of the cleft and plan for treatment.
Treatment for cleft lip and palate usually involves surgical correction to close the gaps and restore normal function and appearance. The timing of surgery may vary, but lip repair is often done within the first few months of life, and palate repair is typically performed when the child is older, usually between 9 and 18 months.
