Cleft lip and palate are birth defects that affect the upper lip and the roof of the mouth.
Alternative NamesCleft palate; Craniofacial defect
Causes, incidence, and risk factorsThere are many causes for of cleft lip and palate. Problems with genes passed down from one or both parents, drugs, viruses, or other toxins can all cause such birth defects. Cleft lip and palate may occur along with other syndromes or birth defects.
A cleft lip and palate can affect the appearance of one's face, and may lead to problems with feeding and speech, as well as ear infections. Problems may range from a small notch in the lip to a complete groove that runs into the roof of the mouth and nose. These features may occur separately or together.
Risk factors include a family history of cleft lip or palate and other birth defect. About 1 out of 2,500 people have a cleft palate.
SymptomsA child may have one or more of these conditions at birth.
A cleft lip may be just a small notch in the lip. It may also be a complete split in the lip that goes all the way to the base of the nose.
A cleft palate can be on one or both sides of the roof of the mouth. It may go the full length of the palate.
Other symptoms include:
Problems that may be present because of a cleft lip or palate are:
A physical examination of the mouth, nose, and palate confirms a cleft lip or cleft palate. Medical tests may be done to rule out other possible health conditions.
TreatmentSurgery to close the cleft lip is often done at when the child is between 6 weeks and 9 months old. Surgery may be needed later in life the problem severely affects the nose area. See: Cleft lip and palate repair
A cleft palate is usually closed within the first year of life so that the child's speech normally develops. Sometimes a prosthetic device is temporarily used to close the palate so the baby can feed and grow until surgery can be done.
Continued follow-up may be needed with speech therapists and orthodontists.
Support GroupsFor additional resources and information, see cleft palate support group.
Expectations (prognosis)Although treatment may continue for several years and require several surgeries, most children with a cleft lip and palate can achieve normal appearance, speech, and eating. However, some people may have continued speech problems.
ComplicationsCleft lip and palate is usually diagnosed at birth. Follow the health care provider's recommendations for follow-up visits. Call if problems develop between visits.
ReferencesFriedman O, Wang TD, Milczuk HA. Cleft lip and palate. In: Cummings CW, Flint PW, Haughey BH, et al, eds. Otolaryngology: Head & Neck Surgery. 4th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Mosby Elsevier; 2005:chap 176.
Kliegman RM, Behrman RE, Jenson HB, Stanton BF. Cleft lip and palate. In: Kliegman RM, Behrman RE, Jenson HB, Stanton BF, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 18th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 307.
Arosarena OA. Cleft lip and palate. Otolaryngol Clin North Am. 2007 Feb;40(1):27-60.
Cleft lip and palate are birth defects that affect the upper lip and the roof of the mouth.
Alternative NamesCleft palate; Craniofacial defect
Causes, incidence, and risk factorsThere are many causes of cleft lip and palate. Problems with genes passed down from one or both parents, drugs, viruses, or other toxins can all cause these birth defects. Cleft lip and palate may occur along with other syndromes or birth defects.
A cleft lip and palate can:
Risk factors include a family history of cleft lip or palate and other birth defects. About 1 out of 2,500 people have a cleft palate.
SymptomsA child may have one or more birth defects.
A cleft lip may be just a small notch in the lip. It may also be a complete split in the lip that goes all the way to the base of the nose.
A cleft palate can be on one or both sides of the roof of the mouth. It may go the full length of the palate.
Other symptoms include:
Problems that may be present because of a cleft lip or palate are:
A physical examination of the mouth, nose, and palate confirms a cleft lip or cleft palate. Medical tests may be done to rule out other possible health conditions.
TreatmentSurgery to close the cleft lip is often done when the child is between 6 weeks and 9 months old. Surgery may be needed later in life if the problem has a big effect on the nose area. See also: Cleft lip and palate repair
A cleft palate is usually closed within the first year of life so that the child's speech develops normally. Sometimes a prosthetic device is temporarily used to close the palate so the baby can feed and grow until surgery can be done.
Continued follow-up may be needed with speech therapists and orthodontists.
Support GroupsFor additional resources and information, see cleft palate support group.
Expectations (prognosis)Most babies will heal without problems. How your child will look after healing depends on the severity of the defect. Your child might need another surgery to fix the scar from the surgery wound.
Children who had a cleft palate repair may need to see a dentist or orthodontist. The teeth may need to be corrected as they come in.
Hearing problems are common in children with cleft lip or palate. Your child should have a hearing test early on, and it should be repeated over time.
Your child may still have problems with speech after the surgery. This is caused by muscle problems in the palate. Speech therapy will help your child.
Calling your health care providerCleft lip and palate is usually diagnosed at birth. Follow the health care provider's recommendations for follow-up visits. Call if problems develop between visits.
ReferencesFriedman O, Wang TD, Milczuk HA. Cleft lip and palate. In: Cummings CW, Flint PW, Haughey BH, et al, eds. Otolaryngology: Head & Neck Surgery. 4th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Mosby Elsevier; 2005:chap 176.
Kliegman RM, Behrman RE, Jenson HB, Stanton BF. Cleft lip and palate. In: Kliegman RM, Behrman RE, Jenson HB, Stanton BF, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 18th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 307.
Arosarena OA. Cleft lip and palate. Otolaryngol Clin North Am. 2007 Feb;40(1):27-60.
Reviewed ByReview Date: 05/01/2011
Neil K. Kaneshiro, MD, MHA, Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
A cleft lip is a congenital fissure that involves the upper lip. A cleft palate involves the hard or soft palate.
A "cleft lip" affects just the patient's lip, and a "cleft palate" affects the palate, or the roof of your mouth.
Cleft lip and palate can be diagnosed before birth by ultrasound
If you're referring to the scientific/medical name for cleft lip and palate, they are:Cheiloschisis for cleft lipPalatoschisis for cleft palate
Cat lip or the Harelip is a disease called Cleft lip (cheiloschisis) or cleft palate (palatoschisis). However they can occur together as Cleft lip and palate.
One can find information on cleft lip and palate on various websites like LittleBabyFace and WebMD. Both websites offer a great amount of information about cleft lip and palate.
Cleft lip and palate can be caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Specific chromosomes are not typically associated with this condition, but there may be genetic variations present that increase the risk of developing cleft lip and palate. Genetic testing and counseling can help determine the specific factors contributing to an individual's cleft lip and palate.
About 1 in 700 children are born with a cleft palate and/or a cleft lip.
A cleft lip and cleft palate is a disorder in which a baby's lip and/or palate did not fully form while in the mother's womb. One of the complications of a child with a cleft palate include not being able to create suction in their mouth in order to nurse or drink from a bottle.
V30.01 Newborn, single, delivered with ceasaren 749.20 cleft palate and cleft lip unspecified
A congenital fissure of the palate affecting the upper lip, hard palate, and soft palate is known as a cleft palate. This condition occurs during fetal development when the tissues forming the roof of the mouth do not fuse together properly. Cleft palate can lead to feeding difficulties, speech problems, and may require surgical intervention to repair.
Cleft lip occurs more often in males, while cleft palate is more likely to occur in females. Cleft lip alone occurs in about 20% of cases, both genders. 80%--have both cleft lip and cleft palate.