Common Questions, Quick Answers: Pediatrics

Cleft Lip

Donna D'Alessandro, M.D.
Lindsay Huth, B.A.
Peer Review Status: Internally Reviewed
Creation Date: February 2003
Last Revision Date: February 2003

• What is cleft lip?
• What causes it?
• Who can get it?
• How is it diagnosed?
• Is it contagious?
• How is it treated?
• How long does it last?

What is cleft lip?

• A cleft lip is a separation of the two sides of the lip.
• It usually looks like a gap in the skin of the upper lip.
• It is a birth defect.
• It is the most common birth defect of the head and face.
• It can happen on one side of the lip (unilateral cleft lip) or both sides of the lip (bilateral cleft lip).

What causes it?

• We do not know what causes cleft lip.
• Studies show that it could be caused by both:
• Genes
• Environment during pregnancy
• Drugs
• Infections or illnesses
• Smoking
• Drinking

Who can get it?

• Everyone has a chance of getting a cleft lip.
• You are at higher risk of having a baby with a cleft lip if:
• Other family members were born with it
• You have a boy &endash; twice as many boys have cleft lip than girls
• You drink, smoke or take drugs when pregnant

How is it diagnosed?

• A cleft lip happens early in pregnancy.
• It usually happens 5 or 6 weeks after you become pregnant.
• It can usually be seen on an ultrasound.
• If it was not seen before birth, it will be noticed immediately after birth.

Is it contagious?

• No, it is a birth defect.

How is it treated?

• There is very good treatment for a cleft lip.
• Surgery can repair it.
• Doctors will also look at your child's hearing, speech, eating practices, teeth, and emotional health.
• The team of doctors and other professionals may include:
• Pediatrician ( a child's doctor)
• Surgeon ( a doctor who does operations)
• Dentist or orthodontist (doctors who work on teeth)
• Speech therapist ( a professional who helps speech problems)
• Audiologist (a professional who helps hearing problems)
• Psychologist (a professional who helps with behavioral and emotional problems)

How long does the treatment last?

• The doctors may see your child for many years.
• This is to make sure his hearing, speech, eating, and self-esteem are doing well.

Quick Answers

• A cleft lip is a gap in your child's upper lip.
• It is a birth defect
• We do not know what causes it.
• Twice as many boys are born with it than girls.
• A doctor may diagnose it before birth with an ultrasound, or after your baby is born.
• A cleft lip can be repaired with surgery.
• A team of doctors and professionals will see your child for many years. They want to make sure his hearing, speech, eating, and self-esteem are doing well.

References

• American Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association / Cleft Palate Foundation. 2002. (cited 2003, January 14). URL: http://www.cleftline.org/aboutclp/
• KidsHealth for Parents. Cleft Lip and Palate. 2000, September. (cited 2003, January 14). URL: http://kidshealth.org/parent/medical/ears/cleft_lip_palate.html
• March of Dimes. Cleft Lip and Cleft Palate. 2003. (cited 2003, January 14). URL: http://www.marchofdimes.com/professionals/681_1210.asp

Title Page

See related Patient Topics Birth Defects, Cleft Lip and Palate, Genetics/Birth Defects or Mouth and Teeth.

See related Provider Topics Birth Defects, Cleft Lip and Palate, Genetics/Birth Defects or Mouth and Teeth.

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