Birth Defect: Cleft Lip/Palate

Researchers believe that it is a combination of both genetic and environmental factors that cause cleft lip and cleft palate. This clefting can occur due to an inherit gene from one of the parents and then an environmental factor triggers the cleft to happen.

Common birth defects include cleft lip and cleft palate. More than 5,000 infants every year in the United States are born with either cleft lip or cleft palate.

A cleft is an opening that occurs in the lip, the roof of the mouth (palate) or even both. When in the womb every baby has this cleft when it is forming, but the structures are suppose to fuse together during the first 3 months of gestation. In babies born with cleft lip or cleft palate, for some reason it only partially fuses or doesn't fuse at all.

Cleft lip can occur on one or on both sides of the upper lip. These defects can be associated with some 300 other genetic birth defects.

Cleft lip is correctable with surgery. The surgery will leave minimal scarring.

Symptoms:

The physical signs of a cleft lip can be detected immediately at birth.

The cleft may be a small notch or it can extend from the lip through the upper gum and palate.

It is less common for the cleft to happen in the muscles of the soft palate only (submucous cleft). When this happens it can sometimes not be noticed right away.

Causes:

Researchers believe that it is a combination of both genetic and environmental factors that cause cleft lip and cleft palate. This clefting can occur due to an inherit gene from one of the parents and then an environmental factor triggers the cleft to happen.

Environmental factors may include fetal exposure to cigarette smoke, alcohol, certain medications, illicit drugs and even certain viruses. Nutritional deficiencies in the mother before or during pregnancy may also lead to the formation of clefts.

Marijuana And Birth Defects They should increase the intake of protein, and be sure that they eat foods high in vitamins and minerals such as folic acid and iron and receive calories for energy. Limit junk foods since they are just empty calories.

Risks:

Family history of cleft lip or cleft palate

Native American, Latino and also Asian descent are all backgrounds with higher risks for clefts

Males are twice as likely to have clefts than females

Environmental factors such as exposure to cigarette smoke in early fetal development, exposure to alcohol and illicit drugs puts an unborn baby at risk

Seeking Medical Attention:

The cleft lip and cleft palate are usually physically identified at birth, and the doctor will immediately start the treatment.

A submucous cleft palate is usually hidden and may not be noticed right away. If a baby has difficulty feeding, including nasal regurgitation and excessive gassiness, the parents should seek medical attention to discover the cause as it may be submucous cleft palate.

Speech delays and a nasal-sounding voice as well as increased nasal discharge may also be symptoms of a submucous cleft palate that should have medical attention.

Today's News About Birth Defects

07/02/2008
Boy born with heart outside chest (The Arizona Republic)
A toddler from Trinidad with a rare birth defect has come to Miami in the hope of finding help.

Boy born with heart outside chest (The Arizona Republic)

07/02/2008
Boy born with heart outside chest (12 News Phoenix)
A toddler from Trinidad with a rare birth defect has come to Miami in the hope of finding help. The International Kids Fund launched a campaign Tuesday to pay for surgery for 20-month-old Adrian Raheal.

Boy born with heart outside chest (12 News Phoenix)

07/04/2008
Utah Group to Monitor Stillbirth's Disorders (FOX 13 Utah)
Researchers in Utah will begin looking for clues about what causes stillbirths and genetic metabolic disorders.

Utah Group to Monitor Stillbirth's Disorders (FOX 13 Utah)

07/02/2008
Trinidad Child Born with Rare Heart Defect (KCBD-TV Lubbock)
Adrian Raheal, 20 months, looks like a typical toddler, until his shirt is lifted and you see his  beating heart protruding through his chest.

Trinidad Child Born with Rare Heart Defect (KCBD-TV Lubbock)

07/04/2008
From the cradle to the grave across generations (The Herald)
Dr John Robertson told his son, Robbie, never to become a GP, but he ignored him. In turn, Dr Robbie Robertson warned his daughter, Fiona, the job was tough and stressful, yet she, too, followed him into practice.

From the cradle to the grave across generations (The Herald)

07/04/2008
From the cradle to the grave across generations (The Herald)
Dr John Robertson told his son, Robbie, never to become a GP, but he ignored him. In turn, Dr Robbie Robertson warned his daughter, Fiona, the job was tough and stressful, yet she, too, followed him into practice.

From the cradle to the grave across generations (The Herald)