Cleft palate is an opening in the roof of the mouth either at the midline or on one or both sides.
These openings are present during the early part of fetal growth in all embryos but close by the third month of gestation. Clefting occurs in the lip, palate, or both and can be unilateral or bilateral. The cleft lip is closed by a plastic surgeon when a baby is about 2 to 3 months old if the infant is otherwise healthy and has had satisfactory weight gain. At about 9 to 12 months, the cleft palate is usually closed unless the cleft is wide and requires a second stage hard palate closure later. Until the palate is closed, formula may come out of the baby's nose occasionally.