Geneticists are always looking for physical factors that may link to cleft, such as clumsiness, short stature, scoliosis, heart problems and other midline defects, etc. However, as yet there is no conclusive evidence that a cleft can be considered a marker for any other problem. There are, however, some problems that may be associated with an isolated cleft. Most parents of cleft-affected children are aware of the problem of chronic or recurring ear infections. The ears of a child with a cleft have a tendency to collect fluid because the Eustachian tubes, which connect the middle ear to the mouth do not drain the fluids effectively.
Pressure can build up and infection can occur.
Most children with isolated clefts suffer from recurring ear infections until a myringotomy with tubes is done to alleviate the situation. Most children with clefts have a number of ear tubes put in over the course of their childhood. Related to the problem of chronic ear infections is hearing loss. Children who suffer from a lot of untreated ear infections over a period of time may face the inevitability of permanent hearing loss. Even temporary hearing loss experienced while an infection is occurring can result in the child being unable to learn as easily as a child whose ears are unaffected.