Dinkaover 7 years ago

Cleft lip and cleft palate

A cleft lip contains an opening in the upper lip that may extend into the nose. The opening may be on one side, both sides, or in the middle. Cleft lip and palate are the result of tissues of the face not joining properly during development. As such, they are a type of birth defect. Risk factors include smoking during pregnancy, diabetes, obesity, an older mother, and certain medications (such as some used to treat seizures). A cleft lip or palate can be successfully treated with surgery.