Cleft lip and cleft palate are congenital birth defects that affect one in every 800 babies. The defect occurs in early pregnancy, when the left and right sides of the lip and roof of the mouth normally fuse together. Cleft lip is a separation in the upper lip.
Cleft palate is a separation in the roof of the mouth.
A baby can have a cleft lip, cleft palate, or a combination of the two. Cleft defects may be due to genetic factors that are hereditary. Researchers are continuing to study the many possible causes of cleft defects. Depending on the extent of the cleft defect, repair may take several procedures performed over a period of time. Children with cleft palate tend to have problems with fluid in the middle ear space.