Cleft lip and cleft palate are birth defects that occur when a babys lip or mouth do not form properly. Diminutive expressions of cleft lip andor palate are known as microform, occult, minor, or forme fruste aborted form. It may involve lip only, lip and palate and palate only. Causes of cleft lip and palate a cleft lip or palate happens when the structures that form the upper lip or palate fail to join together when a baby is developing in the womb. The main reasons of clefting in infants may be either environmental such as smoking, alcohol, poor nutrition or genetic factors such as familial factors and chromosomes. Surgery to repair a cleft palate is recommended within the first 18 months of life or earlier if possible. Epidemiology, etiology, and treatment of isolated cleft palate. Cleft lip and cleft palate symptoms and causes mayo clinic.
Cleft lip andor palate is the most common birth defect in the united states, affecting one of every 700 babies born, which means, on average, 16 babies are born every day in this country with a cleft. In searching for the causes of orofacial clefts, the health community has identified two complex areas of research. This chapter is a comprehensive overview regarding the treatment of cleft lip and palate clp patients. Cleft lip and cleft palate webmd medical reference.
Cleft lip occurs during the first trimester of pregnancy, often before a woman knows she is pregnant. The first, genetics, investigates the link between cleft lip, cleft palate and hereditary abnormalities. Cleft lip and palate childrens hospital of philadelphia. A cleft lip contains an opening in the upper lip that may extend into the nose which may be on one side, both sides, or in the middle.
Most information suggests a combination of both genetichereditary factors and. In most cases, the cause of cleft lip and cleft palate is unknown. Children with cleft lip andor cleft palate may have problems with feeding and speaking. The cec also draws on the literature of cleft lip and palate outcomes, as well as the experience of the cec team members. For most babies with cleft lip andor cleft palate, the reason for the improper fusion is not known.
A cleft lip is an opening extending through the upper lip. Cleft lip a separation in the upper lip and cleft palate a split in the roof of the mouth are the most common types of conditions that affect the skull and face. About 16 babies out of every 10,000 birth have a cleft palate, cleft lip, or cleft palate with cleft lip. Cleft lip and cleft palate may also occur as a result of exposure to viruses or chemicals while the fetus is developing in the womb. The cause of cleft palate and lip isnt known, but doctors believe that the defects occur because of both genetic and environmental factors.
Many children will need additional surgical procedures as they get older. A cleft palate refers to the roof of your mouth with or without the lip being split as well. The reason for this defect lies in defects normal development of the face within the mothers womb. About one in every 550 babies is born with a cleft of the lip, palate, or both.
Currently, it is not completely understood what determines cleft formation. Cleft lip and cleft palate are common birth defects affecting thousands of babies every year in the united states. Scientists are making headway in understanding some causes of cleft lip and palate. Cleft lip and cleft palate can impact speech due to the central role of the lips, palate, and tongue in forming words. Cleft lip and cleft palate occur when tissues in the babys face and mouth dont fuse properly. It is one of the most common birth differences in the usa. A cleft lip occurs when there is a split or opening in the lip.
Clefts of the lip and palate are one of the most common congenital anomalies in children. Normally, the tissues that make up the lip and palate fuse together in the second and third months of pregnancy. Journal of cleft lip palate and craniofacial anomalies. B illustration depicting the alveolus of the premaxilla, perioral muscles, and typical cleft nasal deformity. Genes are passed down from parent to child and instruct body tissues how to form during fetal development.
Cleft lip and cleft palate are thought to be caused by a combination of. Each year, the conditions affect one in every 600 to 690 babies born in the united states, according to cleftline. The goals of treatment for the child with a cleft lippalate are. Genetics can play a role in the development of clefts if one or both parents pass down a gene that makes a cleft palate or lip more likely. The anomaly can lead to a higher risk of ear infections, which can damage. Having a cleft lip also changes the shape of the nose. A cleft palate is the condition in which the roof of the mouth contains an opening into the nose. Most cases of cleft lip and palate are the result of interactions between genetics and the environment. We know that cleft lip and cleft palate are congenital defectswhich means they are present at birthand that they involve a disruption to the formation of the fetuss top lip andor roof of the mouth. Sometimes the gap is just on the lip unilateral or up to the nose bilateral. Cleft lip closure 3 to 5 months of age cleft palate closure 9 to 12 months of age stage 5. A cleft palate is an opening or split in the roof of the mouth that occurs when the tissue doesnt fuse together during development in the womb. Special report etiology and cleft palate, this report was pathogenesis of congenital cleft lip and an nldr state of the art report a.
A baby can have a cleft lip, a cleft palate, or both. Etiology and pathogenesis of congenital cleft lip and. Scientists find genetic mutation that causes cleft lip and. But in babies with cleft lip and cleft palate, the fusion never takes place or occurs only part way, leaving an opening cleft. A cleft occurs when the lip andor palate dont come together during the first three months of pregnancy.
Cleft lippalate is the fourth most common birth defect in the united states. Orofacial clefts, notably cleft lip cl and cleft palate cp, are the most common craniofacial birth defects in humans and represent a substantial personal and societal burden. The majority of bilateral cleft lips 86% and unilateral cleft lips 68% are associated with a cleft palate. Frasers chairman 1 department of anatomy, university of michigan medical school, ann arbor. Babies with cleft lip or palate are more likely to occur ear infection because they can have a problem in their eustachian tube too. A cleft palate is an opening of the hard palate the bony front portion of the roof of the mouth or the soft palate the muscular nonbony region in. A person can be born with cleft lip, a cleft palate, or both. The exact reason why this happens to some babies is often unclear. A cleft palate often includes a split cleft in the upper lip cleft lip but can occur without affecting the lip. Sometimes children have only one of these conditions. Cleft lip or palate affects one in 700 babies in the united states and the united kingdom. A cleft palate is a gap in the roof of your babys mouth. Cleft lip and palate may occur along with other syndromes or birth defects. Clapa is the only ukwide voluntary organisation specifically helping those with, and affected by, cleft lip and palate.
Preventive effects of estradiol on cleft lip andor palate in aj mice. Among the cleft lip and palate population, the most common diagnosis is cleft lip and palate at 46%, followed by isolated cleft palate at 33%, then isolated cleft lip at 21%. Cleft lip and cleft palate orofacial clefts are birth defects that occur when. A child with a cleft lip or palate can have trouble in speaking. A cleft lip usually develops during the 5th week of pregnancy.
Cleft lip and palate are the most common facial deformity. Cleft lip and palate are birth defects that affect the upper lip and the roof of the mouth. Genetics of cleft lip and cleft palate pubmed central pmc. Researchers believe that most cases of cleft lip and cleft palate are caused by an interaction of genetic and environmental factors. Cleft lip and palate occur during the first trimester of pregnancy, often before a woman knows she. Surgery to repair a cleft lip usually occurs in the first few months of life and is recommended within the first 12 months of life. Cleft lip with or without cleft palate can be unilateral or bilateral, and occurs in a variety of combinations with variable expression in the nose, lip, alveolus, and primary and secondary palates. All of clapas publications are available as free pdf downloads. The main reasons of clefting in infants may be either environmental such as.
A child can be born with both a cleft lip and cleft palate, or a. Cleft lip and cleft palate can occur together or separately. A cleft lip happens if the tissue that makes up the lip does not join completely before birth. They also can have ear infections, hearing difficulty, and dental problems. To get prevention from this, a special tube will be placed in the eardrums for drainage of fluid. Oral clefts are one of the most common birth defects. This causes a gap or defect to occur in the affected area, involving skin, muscle and the lining of the mouth. Sometimes, the gap can also be in the front part of your babys gums. First speech evaluation at 12 to 18 months of age first dental evaluation after the eruption of first tooth or least by 12 months of age.
A cleft lip can extend into the nose or stop at any point below and be on one side or both sides. Incomplete unilateral cleft lip a notching of the lip that does not extend into the nose. Beliefs and expectations of parents of cleft lip and palate patients. Infant with unilateral complete cleft lip and palate. Clefts affect approximately 1 in 700 individuals rahimov et al. However, no one knows exactly why these disruptions take place. Toddler years team visits including the craniofacial surgeon every year to 2 years. Unilateral incomplete on left and complete on right cleft lip unilateral defects the most common type of cleft, affecting one side of the lip, with or without a cleft palate. The different types of cleft defects are categorized according to the location and how much of the lip is involved. Cleft lip and palate symptoms, diagnosis and treatment. Cleft lip and palate result from the incomplete closure of the upper lip and roof of the mouth. This opening can be small or large enough to connect the upper lip and nose. A cleft lip and palate is an opening or gap in the lip, gum, and palate roof of the mouth. Some families have a hereditary form of cleft lip andor palate, meaning that multiple family members have been born with a cleft lip or palate.
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