Cleft Lip and Cleft Palate

Cleft Lip and Cleft palate, also known as orofacial cleft. A group of conditions that includes Cleft Lip (CL), Cleft Palate (CP), and both together (CLP). Cleft Lip contains an opening in the upper lip that may extend into the nose. The opening may be on one side, both sides, or in the middle. A cleft palate is when the roof of the mouth contains an opening into the nose.These disorders can result in feeding problems, speech problems, hearing problems, and frequent ear infections. Less than half the time the condition is associated with other disorders. The cause is unknown in most cases.Risk factors include smoking during pregnancy, diabetes, obesity, an older mother and certain medications Cleft lip and palate occurs in about 1 to 2 per 1000 births in the developed world. CL is about twice as common in males as females, while CP without CL is more common in females.