Cleft lip and palate are believed to be caused by genetic and environmental factors. These conditions can be treated effectively.

1. Cleft Lip and Palate – Causes
and Treatment

2. Cleft lip and cleft palate are birth defects that happen at very early stages of
pregnancy. Clefting results when there is not enough tissue in the mouth or lip area.
The available tissue fails to join properly and causes facial and oral malformations. It
appears as openings (cleft palate) or splits (cleft lip) in the upper lip, the roof of the
mouth, or both.
According to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), each year in U.S,
about 2,650 babies are born with a cleft palate and 4,440 babies are born with a
cleft lip with or without a cleft palate. However, these congenital defects can be
corrected and normal function and appearance can be restored with cleft palate
surgery.
Causes
The reason why cleft lip and palate occurs is hazy. Most scientists believe it may be
due to genetic and environmental factors. There is a greater chance for occurrence of
cleft in a baby if someone in the family has the problem. Other reasons cited include:
 Medication the mother may have taken during her pregnancy could cause the
child to be born with the abnormality. Taking drugs such as topiramate or
valproic acid during the first three months of pregnancy pose an increased
risk of the baby being born with a cleft lip
 Exposure of the fetus to viruses or chemicals while in womb is another reason
 Women with diabetes diagnosed before pregnancy have an increased chance
of giving birth to a baby with cleft lip with or without cleft palate, compared to
women who did not have diabetes
 Women who smoke during pregnancy have higher chances of having a baby
with an orofacial cleft than those who did not smoke

3. Treatment
A cleft lip usually requires more than one surgery, depending on the extent of the
repair. The initial surgery usually occurs when the baby is between 6 and 12 months
old. Before surgery, some children may require some sort of orthodontic treatment in
order to guide the growth of the mouth in the right direction. Such a technique is
called nasal alveolar molding (NAM), which can be started from the first two weeks
of a baby's life and can last up to six months.
The main advantage of NAM is that it reduces the number of surgeries required
during a patient’s lifetime. Other advantages of the technique include:
 Helps in accurate repair of cleft lip by bringing edges closer
 Helps in the correction of nasal deformity by creating a natural looking nose
 Corrects cleft palate by repositioning the alveolar ridges and restoring normal
anatomic alignment
 Improves post surgical results
The surgery for cleft lift or cleft palate is highly recommended in the early stages
of infancy. Certain clefts involving the gum line might require bone grafting and
orthodontic care at a later stage. For the best results, choose a board-certified
plastic surgeon with experience in the procedure. Such surgeons work with a team
of specialists such as pediatricians, oral surgeons, orthodontists, speech therapists,
social workers and others with the goal of providing the child with a normal
appearance and improved function with minimal scarring.
Contact
Houston Plastic and Craniofacial Surgery
6400 Fannin, Suite 2290
Houston, TX- 77030