what causes babies to be born with a cleft palate
Several factors may increase the likelihood of a baby developing a cleft lip and cleft palate, including: 1  Family history. 2  Race. 3  Sex. Exposure to certain substances during pregnancy.  Having 1  diabetes. Being obese during pregnancy. 2  Causes. Complications.
Another potential cause may be related to a medication a mother may have taken during her pregnancy. Some drugs may cause cleft lip and cleft palate. Among them: anti-seizure/anticonvulsant drugs, acne drugs containing Accutane, and methotrexate, a drug commonly used for treating cancer, arthritis, and psoriasis.
A cleft lip occurs when there is a split or opening in the lip. This opening can be small or large enough to connect the upper lip and nose. A cleft palate occurs when the roof of the mouth does not close properly during a babyâs early development inside the womb. The palate is made up of two parts, either of which can be cleft â the hard palate and the soft palate. The hard palate is a bony portion in the front of the roof of your mouth.