A cleft lip is a facial and oral malformation that is characterized by the physical split or separation of the two sides of the upper lip that can extend beyond the base of the nose up to the nostrils. A cleft palate, on the other hand, looks essentially the same, but the split or opening extends to or involves the roof of the mouth. Medical researchers report that these related conditions are a kind of birth defect that affect about one of every 1,000 newborns worldwide.
During pregnancy, the two areas of the face develop individually and come together, eventually fusing to form a whole. Part of this fusion involves the lips and the roof of the mouth coming together, yet unfortunately, in some instances, this process isn't completed properly before birth, thus leading to these so-called “orofacial clefts”.
There are certain genetic factors that could likewise increase the likelihood of a baby developing either one of these birth defects. For instance, females are more likely to develop cleft palates whereas males are twice as likely to be born with a cleft lip. Moreover, both conditions are more prevalent in certain races, namely American Indian, Asian, and Latino. Parents with a family history of cleft lip or cleft palate carry a higher risk of having a child with a cleft.
During pregnancy, the two areas of the face develop individually and come together, eventually fusing to form a whole. Part of this fusion involves the lips and the roof of the mouth coming together, yet unfortunately, in some instances, this process isn't completed properly before birth, thus leading to these so-called “orofacial clefts”.
There are certain genetic factors that could likewise increase the likelihood of a baby developing either one of these birth defects. For instance, females are more likely to develop cleft palates whereas males are twice as likely to be born with a cleft lip. Moreover, both conditions are more prevalent in certain races, namely American Indian, Asian, and Latino. Parents with a family history of cleft lip or cleft palate carry a higher risk of having a child with a cleft.
