Cleft palate and cleft lip, also referred to as orofacial defects, are birth defects that affect more than 7,000 babies in the United States every year, according to the Centers for Disease ...

Cleft lip and/or palate are the most common birth defects of the mouth. A cleft lip occurs when the two structures or processes that make up the lip do not completely fuse before birth.

Some babies are born with a cleft lip, cleft palate, or both, which often leads to speech, hearing, and feeding problems. Learn more about the effects of a cleft and how they develop.

A cleft palate, on the other hand, is a split in the roof of the mouth, also known as the soft and hard palate. This type of cleft may be limited to only part of the palate or one side of the face.

If there is a cleft lip, sometimes cleft palate is suspected at that same scan. In contrast, cleft palate only is rarely detected by ultrasound because the view inside the mouth is limited.

Cleft lip and palate surgery is a procedure that can correct a common birth irregularity. It’s typically performed in infancy and can correct issues with feeding, speech, and appearance. Share ...

Cleft lip or palate affects one in 700 babies in the United States and the United Kingdom. The reason for this defect lies in defects normal development of the face within the mother’s womb.

Cleft lip and cleft palate occur when the facial structures that are developing in an unborn baby don’t close completely. While a cleft lip can form independently, it’s more commonly found in ...

Cleft lip surgery typically happens around 3 months of age, and cleft palate surgery around 9 to 12 months. In between, babies are learning to eat, communicate their needs, play and babble.

Guest Commentary People with cleft lip and palate have life-changing opportunities. Support them | Opinion By Luci Capo Rome Special to The Kansas City Star July 3, 2024 6:02 AM ...

Cleft Lip and Palate Causes In most cases, the cause of cleft lip and cleft palate is unknown. These conditions can't be prevented. Most scientists believe clefts are due to a combination of ...