What is cleft lip and palate?
A. Cleft lip (split of the upper lip) and Cleft palate (split of the roof of the mouth) are the most common types of congenital (birth) defects. Because the lip and the palate develop separately, it is possible for the child to have a cleft lip, a cleft palate, or both cleft lip and cleft palate. Cleft lip: A cleft lip is a condition that creates an opening in the upper lip between the mouth and nose. It looks as though there is a split in the lip. It can range from a slight notch in the coloured portion of the lip to complete separation in one or both sides of the lip extending up and into the nose. A cleft on one side is called a unilateral cleft lip. If a cleft occurs on both sides it is called a bilateral cleft lip. A cleft in the gum (alveolus)may occur in association with a cleft lip. This may range from a small notch in the gum to a complete division of the gum into separate parts. Cleft palate: A cleft palate occurs when the roof of the mouth has not joined completely. Cleft pa
Cleft lip and palate is an abnormality that occurs when the face is forming. Parts of the face are unable to fuse leaving an open space. This can occur on both sides of the face (bilateral cleft lip and palate) or on one side (unilateral cleft lip and palate). Males are affected twice as often as females. Cleft lip and palate occurs in one out of 1,000 births and is a common birth problem. About 4,000 babies are born with isolated cleft lip and palate in the United States each year.
