Cleft Lip and Palate

Condition Description

A cleft is a congenital defect where there is a separation or divide in the mouth. A cleft lip is an opening in the lip. A cleft palate is an opening in the roof of the mouth. In a cleft lip there is a separation of the sides of the upper lip. Cleft lip and/or cleft palate are due to failure of fetal tissues to properly come together to form the lips and roof of the mouth (palate). These facial structures are formed between the 6th and 10th weeks of fetal life. The palate has 2 parts: the “hard palate”, which is bone, and the “soft palate”, which is the mucous membrane at the back of the roof of the mouth. Cleft palate can involve only the soft palate, or it can also extend towards the teeth and involve the hard palate as well. The cleft can be on the left, right or in the middle of the palate. Children can be born with a variety of cleft types and with variable severity. The cause of clefts remains unknown. A combination of genetic and environmental factors may play a role in the fusion process and lack of closure to the facial structures. However, no single cause has been identified. There is a genetic pattern for cleft lip and palate in many cases, with a different inheritance pattern for each type of cleft. Maternal smoking, alcohol use and folic acid deficiency can be associated with the development of cleft lip and palate in the fetus. Medications that treat a mother's seizure disorder may also be linked to development of this congenital defect. 

Cleft lip and palate is a common birth defect. It occurs together in 1 of every 1,000 babies, somewhat more in males than females. About 20% have the cleft lip only, 30% have cleft palate only, and 50% of children with a cleft lip will also have a cleft palate. About 400 syndromes have cleft lip and palate as part of the affected systems. About 13% of babies with cleft lip and palate have other birth defects. Feeding problems, ear infections, and speech difficulties, as well as dental problems are associated with cleft lip and palate.

Cleft lip only (without cleft palate)
Our program has been tracking cleft lip only (without cleft palate) among live births in select counties since 2005.

• Using data from Minnesota births between 2014-2018, we found 101 babies were born with cleft lip alone, resulting in a rate of 3.0 babies per 10,000 births. Annually, about 20 babies were born with cleft lip.

Cleft lip with cleft palate
Our program has been tracking cleft lip with cleft palate among live births in select counties since 2005. 

• Using data from Minnesota births between 2014-2018, we found 197 babies were born with cleft lip and palate, resulting in a rate of 5.9 babies per 10,000 births. Annually, about 40 babies were born with cleft lip and palate.

Cleft palate only (without cleft lip)
Our program has been tracking cleft lip with cleft palate among live births in select counties since 2005.

Using data from Minnesota births between 2014-2018, we found 233 babies were born with cleft palate alone, resulting in a rate of 7.0 babies per 10,000 births. Annually, about 47 babies were born with cleft palate alone. Parental education and support are essential, and local, regional, and national organizations may be very helpful.

Condition specific organizations

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - Facts about Cleft Lip and Cleft Palate
• American Speech-Language Association: Cleft Lip and Cleft Palate
• American Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association (ACPA) Family Resources (formerly Cleft Palate Foundation)
• Myface