Cleft Lip and Palate 

Cleft lip and cleft palate are born deformities in the face and mouth of a child. It occurs in the mother’s womb very early in pregnancy while the baby is under development. When the tissues are improperly joins together, results in cleft.

Causes of Cleft Lip and Palate

In general, the causes of cleft lip are not yet known. Hence this deformity cannot be stopped. It is believed that is due to genetic and environmental reasons. But greater chances of cleft found in siblings of parents or relatives who had the problem.

In some cases, it is found that, mothers who had undergone medication for cancer, arthritis and psoriasis had given birth to children with cleft or palate or both deformities.

Mothers with vitamin deficiency, smoking / drugs during pregnancy are also considered as reasons to give birth to a cleft type baby.

Treatment for Cleft:

Depending on the size and type of the cleft, it may require more than one surgery. The first surgery is done by the age of 3 months. The second surgery is usually done at the age of 6 months. Around half the numbers of cleft palate children need additional surgeries to improve their speech, appearance of the lip and nose etc.