Are the Causes of Isolated Cleft Palate Different?
As with cleft lip/palate, the causes of isolated cleft palate are not well understood. A number of genes as well as environmental factors also may play a role. Antiseizure drugs do not appear to contribute to cleft palate, although maternal smoking and alcohol use and deficiency of folic acid may do so. Cleft palate appears to be associated with genetic syndromes more frequently than with cleft lip/palate. Babies with what appears to be isolated cleft palate are more likely than babies with cleft lip/palate to have other birth defects, which shows the importance of a thorough examination soon after birth. Studies suggest that up to 50 percent of babies with isolated cleft palate may have other birth defects.
