Cleft Lip and Palate Summary Cleft lip and cleft palate are birth defects that occur when a baby’s lip or mouth do not form properly. They happen early during pregnancy. A baby can have a cleft lip, a cleft palate, or both. A cleft lip happens if the tissue that makes up the lip does not join completely before birth. This causes an opening in the upper lip. The opening can be a small slit or a large opening that goes through the lip into the nose. It can be on one or both sides of the lip or, rarely, in the middle of the lip. Children with a cleft lip also can have a cleft palate. The roof of the mouth is called the “palate.” With a cleft palate, the tissue that makes up the roof of the mouth does not join correctly. Babies may have both the front and back parts of the palate open, or they may have only one part open. Children with a cleft lip or a cleft palate often have problems with feeding and talking. They also might have ear infections, hearing loss, and problems with their teeth. Often, surgery can close the lip and palate. Cleft lip surgery is usually done before age 12 months, and cleft palate surgery is done before 18 months. Many children have other complications. They may need additional surgeries, dental and orthodontic care, and speech therapy as they get older. With treatment, most children with clefts do well and lead a healthy life. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research Encyclopedia Aarskog syndrome Related Issues Answers to Common Questions about Scars Cleft Palate Foundation Help with Hearing Cleft Palate Foundation Teenagers As You Get Older Cleft Palate Foundation Cleft Lip and Palate Nemours Foundation Treatments and Therapies Bone Grafting the Cleft Maxilla Cleft Palate Foundation Cleft Lip and Palate Surgery American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons Treatment for Adults (with Cleft Lip and Palate) Cleft Palate Foundation Understanding Cleft and Craniofacial Team Care Cleft Palate Foundation Start Here Cleft Lip and Cleft Palate Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research Cleft Lip and Cleft Palate American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery Cleft Lip and Cleft Palate March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation Cleft Lip and Palate (For Parents) Nemours Foundation Facts about Cleft Lip and Cleft Palate Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Images Cleft Lip and Cleft Palate Cleft Palate Foundation Array Cleft lip and palate Cleft lip and palate repair Cleft lip and palate repair – discharge Cleft lip repair – slideshow Children Cleft Lip and Palate Nemours Foundation Your Baby’s First Year Cleft Palate Foundation Clinical Trials ClinicalTrials.gov: Cleft Lip National Institutes of Health ClinicalTrials.gov: Cleft Palate National Institutes of Health Living With Dental Care for a Child with Cleft Lip and Palate Cleft Palate Foundation What about Breastfeeding? Cleft Palate Foundation Genetics Genetics and You Cleft Palate Foundation Genetics Home Reference: 22q11.2 deletion syndrome National Library of Medicine Genetics Home Reference: 3MC syndrome National Library of Medicine Genetics Home Reference: Aarskog-Scott syndrome National Library of Medicine Genetics Home Reference: ankyloblepharon-ectodermal defects-cleft lip/palate syndrome National Library of Medicine Genetics Home Reference: branchio-oculo-facial syndrome National Library of Medicine Genetics Home Reference: focal dermal hypoplasia National Library of Medicine Genetics Home Reference: oculodentodigital dysplasia National Library of Medicine Genetics Home Reference: Opitz G/BBB syndrome National Library of Medicine Genetics Home Reference: Peters plus syndrome National Library of Medicine Genetics Home Reference: popliteal pterygium syndrome National Library of Medicine Genetics Home Reference: RAPADILINO syndrome National Library of Medicine Genetics Home Reference: Roberts syndrome National Library of Medicine Genetics Home Reference: Stickler syndrome National Library of Medicine Genetics Home Reference: van der Woude syndrome National Library of Medicine Genetics Home Reference: X-linked intellectual disability, Siderius type National Library of Medicine Adults Information for Adults Cleft Palate Foundation Specifics Learning about Velocardiofacial Syndrome National Human Genome Research Institute Replacing a Missing Tooth Cleft Palate Foundation Speech Development Cleft Palate Foundation Submucous Clefts Cleft Palate Foundation Find an Expert National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders Journal Articles Cleft Lip and Palate
