Studies suggest that up to 50 percent of babies with isolated cleft palate may have other birth defects. However, a second baby is at risk for only the same type of cleft that affected his or her sibling. If either parent has an oral-facial cleft, but no affected children, the risk of the same type of cleft in any pregnancy is about 3 to 4 percent. A cleft lip can range in severity from a simple notch in the upper lip to a complete opening in the lip extending into the floor of the nostril. The upper gum may be involved.
Clefts can occur on one or both sides, and with or without involvement of the palate.
More than 70 percent of babies with cleft lip also have cleft palate. One or both sides of the palate can be affected. The timing and type of surgery depend on a number of factors, including the preference of the individual surgeon, the general health of the baby and the nature of the cleft. Most surgeons agree that cleft lip should, in most cases, be repaired by about three months of age. Additional surgical procedures often are needed as the child grows.