What causes clefts?

Causes and Risk Factors Cleft lip and cleft palate are thought to be caused by a combination of genes and other factors, such as things the mother comes in contact with in her environment, or what the mother eats or drinks, or certain medications she uses during pregnancy.

What are the two types of orofacial clefts?

Generally, orofacial clefts are categorized into 3 main types: isolated cleft lip (CL), isolated cleft palate (CP), and cleft lip with cleft palate (CLP). Isolated or nonsyndromic clefts are orofacial clefts without other congenital anomalies.

What are oral clefts?

An oral-facial cleft is a birth defect. The lip or the roof of the mouth does not form the usual way. The defect may be a cleft lip, a cleft palate, or both. A cleft lip is a gap in the upper lip, often just below the nose. A cleft palate is a gap in the roof of the mouth or in the soft tissue at the back of the mouth.

Is cleft lip related to other problems?

Sometimes when a child is born with a cleft lip and/or palate there is a chance that they may have additional medical condition/s. These associated conditions include ‘Pierre Robin Sequence’ (PRS), Stickler Syndrome and 22q11 Deletion Syndrome.

What foods cause cleft lip?

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) – Pregnant women who eat a meat-rich, fruit-poor diet may be doubling their baby’s likelihood of being born with a cleft lip or cleft palate, Dutch researchers report.

Can cleft lip be prevented?

While many cases of cleft lip and cleft palate can’t be prevented, consider these steps to increase your understanding or lower your risk: Consider genetic counseling. If you have a family history of cleft lip and cleft palate, tell your doctor before you become pregnant.

How do they fix cleft lip?

A plastic surgeon will repair the baby’s cleft lip first, usually when the baby is about 3 months old. This is done with a surgery called cheiloplasty (KY-lo-plass-tee). It’s done in the hospital while the baby is under general anesthesia.

Can ultrasound detect cleft lip?

Cleft lip may be detected with ultrasound beginning around the 13th week of pregnancy. As the fetus continues developing, it may be easier to accurately diagnose a cleft lip. Cleft palate that occurs alone is more difficult to see using ultrasound.

Is cleft lip hereditary?

The causes of cleft lip and cleft palate (or both) are unknown, although hereditary (genetic) factors sometimes play a small role. A cleft lip or cleft palate (or both) is not caused by anything the parents did or did not do during the pregnancy.

What vitamin deficiency causes cleft palate?

Deficiency of B vitamins and folic acid in maternal diet is another commonly associated cause of cleft lip and palate in the new born. Parents who are older than usual at the time of birth of their baby are at higher risk of having children with cleft lip and or palate.

What week does cleft lip develop?

Cleft lip and cleft palate happen very early in pregnancy. Your baby’s lips form between 4 and 7 weeks of pregnancy, and the palate forms between 6 and 9 weeks of pregnancy.

When does cleft lip develop?

Cleft lip and cleft palate happen very early in pregnancy. Your baby’s lips form between 4 and 7 weeks of pregnancy, and the palate forms between 6 and 9 weeks of pregnancy. Oral clefts don’t have to happen together—a baby can have one without the other.

What are the main causes of orofacial cleft?

What are the main causes of orofacial cleft formation? 1 Frontonasal prominence: From the top of the head to the upper lip. 2 Maxillar prominence: Two from the cheeks, that join with the first lobe to form the upper lip. 3 Mandibular prominence: Two additional lobes growing from each side that form the chin and the lower lip.

What is an OFC cleft?

Orofacial clefts (OFCs) are common congenital malformations of the lip, palate, or both caused by complex genetic and environmental factors [1]. OFC may involve the lip, the roof of the mouth (hard palate), or the soft tissue in the back of the mouth (soft palate).

What is the prevalence of cleft lip and cleft palate?

Orofacial clefts are common in about 1 to 2 per 1000 live births in the developed countries. Cleft lip and cleft palate can result in a number of complications such as problems in speech formation, auditory problems, ear infections and feeding problems.

What are the different types of cleft disorders?

Stickler’s syndrome: It can cause cleft lip, cleft palate, myopia and joint pain. Loeys – Dietz syndrome: Can cause bifid uvula, aortic aneurysm, and hypertelorism. Hardikar syndrome: Cleft lip and palate, Hydronephrosis and intestinal obstruction. What are the different types of orofacial clefts?