What is cleft pallet?

A cleft palate is a birth defect that occurs when the roof of the mouth (palate) does not completely close. This can happen on one side of the mouth (unilateral cleft palate) or both sides (bilateral cleft palate).

Cleft palate can cause a number of problems, including:

* Difficulty feeding

* Speech problems

* Hearing problems

* Dental problems

* Social and emotional problems

Treatment for cleft palate typically involves surgery to close the opening in the roof of the mouth. This surgery is usually done within the first 12 months of life. In some cases, additional surgeries may be necessary to correct problems with speech, hearing, or dental alignment.

With early diagnosis and treatment, most children with cleft palate can live normal, healthy lives.

Causes of cleft palate

The exact cause of cleft palate is unknown, but it is thought to be caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Some of the risk factors for cleft palate include:

* Family history of cleft palate

* Maternal smoking during pregnancy

* Alcohol use during pregnancy

* Diabetes during pregnancy

* Certain medications, such as anti-seizure medications and methotrexate

Symptoms of cleft palate

The most obvious symptom of cleft palate is a visible opening in the roof of the mouth. Other symptoms can include:

* Difficulty feeding

* Nasal regurgitation of milk or formula

* Speech problems, such as a nasal-sounding voice

* Hearing problems, such as recurrent ear infections

* Dental problems, such as misaligned teeth

Treatment for cleft palate

The primary treatment for cleft palate is surgery to close the opening in the roof of the mouth. This surgery is usually done within the first 12 months of life. In some cases, additional surgeries may be necessary to correct problems with speech, hearing, or dental alignment.

With early diagnosis and treatment, most children with cleft palate can live normal, healthy lives.