Birth Defect: Cleft Lip/Palate
Researchers believe that it is a combination of both genetic and environmental factors that cause cleft lip and cleft palate. This clefting can occur due to an inherit gene from one of the parents and then an environmental factor triggers the cleft to happen.
Common birth defects include cleft lip and cleft palate. More than 5,000 infants every year in the United States are born with either cleft lip or cleft palate.
A cleft is an opening that occurs in the lip, the roof of the mouth (palate) or even both. When in the womb every baby has this cleft when it is forming, but the structures are suppose to fuse together during the first 3 months of gestation. In babies born with cleft lip or cleft palate, for some reason it only partially fuses or doesn't fuse at all.
Cleft lip can occur on one or on both sides of the upper lip. These defects can be associated with some 300 other genetic birth defects.
Cleft lip is correctable with surgery. The surgery will leave minimal scarring.
Symptoms:
The physical signs of a cleft lip can be detected immediately at birth.
The cleft may be a small notch or it can extend from the lip through the upper gum and palate.
It is less common for the cleft to happen in the muscles of the soft palate only (submucous cleft). When this happens it can sometimes not be noticed right away.
Causes:
Researchers believe that it is a combination of both genetic and environmental factors that cause cleft lip and cleft palate. This clefting can occur due to an inherit gene from one of the parents and then an environmental factor triggers the cleft to happen.
Environmental factors may include fetal exposure to cigarette smoke, alcohol, certain medications, illicit drugs and even certain viruses. Nutritional deficiencies in the mother before or during pregnancy may also lead to the formation of clefts.
Birth Defect PreventionThis is a metabolism disorder where there is a mutation in the ATP7A gene. Children born with Menkes disease have seizures, abnormal bone development, kinky, and colorless hair. The disorder is untreatable and fatal.
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Risks:
Family history of cleft lip or cleft palate
Native American, Latino and also Asian descent are all backgrounds with higher risks for clefts
Males are twice as likely to have clefts than females
Environmental factors such as exposure to cigarette smoke in early fetal development, exposure to alcohol and illicit drugs puts an unborn baby at risk
Seeking Medical Attention:
The cleft lip and cleft palate are usually physically identified at birth, and the doctor will immediately start the treatment.
A submucous cleft palate is usually hidden and may not be noticed right away. If a baby has difficulty feeding, including nasal regurgitation and excessive gassiness, the parents should seek medical attention to discover the cause as it may be submucous cleft palate.
Speech delays and a nasal-sounding voice as well as increased nasal discharge may also be symptoms of a submucous cleft palate that should have medical attention.
Today's News About Birth Defects
08/30/2010
NY Yankee Jorge Posada recounts son's birth defect
In "The Beauty of Love," New York Yankees catcher Jorge Posada and his wife Laura explain how they dealt with their son Jorge Luis being born with craniosynostosis, a growth defect of the skull. New York Yankees - Jorge Posada - Catcher - NEW YORK - United States
NY Yankee Jorge Posada recounts son's birth defect
09/03/2010
Residents honored for business endeavors
Ravi P. Misra, doctor of philosophy, professor of biochemistry at the Medical College of Wisconsin in Milwaukee, has been named dean of the college’s Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences.
Residents honored for business endeavors
09/03/2010
What's happening to the babies of Kettleman City?
Susanne Rust Something’s happening to the babies of Kettleman City. Since the state started tracking birth defects in 1988, only one birth defect was detected in 20 years. But that has changed. According to a story in the current issue of Mother Jones , in the last two years and 10 months, 11 babies have been born with serious birth defects. Three died. A fourth was stillborn. Birth defects ...
What's happening to the babies of Kettleman City?
09/04/2010
Casey describes father's legacy
HARRISBURG - A provocative question posed often by the late Gov. Robert P. Casey still exerts a strong pull on his son."What did you do when you had the power?" is the saying that Sen. Bob Casey , D-Pa., brings up when recalling his father's career in pu
Casey describes father's legacy
09/04/2010
Casey describes father's legacy
HARRISBURG - A provocative question posed often by the late Gov. Robert P. Casey still exerts a strong pull on his son."What did you do when you had the power?" is the saying that Sen. Bob Casey , D-Pa., brings up when recalling his father's career in pu
Casey describes father's legacy
08/30/2010
NY Yankee Jorge Posada recounts son's birth defect
In "The Beauty of Love," New York Yankees catcher Jorge Posada and his wife Laura explain how they dealt with their son Jorge Luis being born with craniosynostosis, a growth defect of the skull. New York Yankees - Jorge Posada - Catcher - NEW YORK - United States
NY Yankee Jorge Posada recounts son's birth defect
09/01/2010
Standing room only for her birth
More than 40 people aided a rare procedure to ensure that Haylee Hanson, daughter of Megan and Dan Hanson of Denison, would be able to breathe.
Standing room only for her birth
09/03/2010
Residents honored for business endeavors
Ravi P. Misra, doctor of philosophy, professor of biochemistry at the Medical College of Wisconsin in Milwaukee, has been named dean of the college’s Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences.
Residents honored for business endeavors
09/02/2010
Newman golfer needs heart transplant
Jeremy Gant is in for the fight of his life. Thursday, doctors at the Kansas Heart Hospital told t
Newman golfer needs heart transplant
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