Cleft lip: Learn about the causes

Learn about the causes, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of cleft lip and cleft palate, the most common birth defects of the skull and face. Find out how folate, genetics, and surgery can help affected babies and families. Learn about cleft lip/palate, a birth defect that affects the lip and mouth formation, and its possible causes, types, and risk factors. Find out how to diagnose and treat this condition with surgery, speech therapy, and orthodontics. Abstract Cleft lip and palate are among the most common congenital anomalies affecting the face and oral cavity, resulting from the incomplete fusion of embryonic facial structures and leading to challenges in speech, hearing, dental health, nutrition, psychology, and aesthetics. The etiology is multifactorial and involves genetic and environmental factors such as maternal smoking, alcohol use, and folic acid deficiency. Treatment requires a multidisciplinary approach, including cheiloplasty ... A cleft lip can be surgically closed soon or some weeks after the child birth while the palate can be closed from about six to nine months. Further operations may be necessary for some children.