11/17/13
Cleft Lip is an incomplete joining of the upper lip below the nose. It is found in around one of every 1000 births. Children with cleft lip are found to be at risk for hearing, speech, language, academic, and social difficulties. This defect can occur in all ethnic groups but is most common in Asians. It is a prenatal and genetic type of birth defect. The cause of cleft lip is somewhat unknown but doctors have many ideas. Certain medications, and smoking while pregnant have been shown that they can lead to a baby having a cleft lip. If the mother is exposed to radiation or infections while pregnant it can also result in a cleft lip. In addition, is has been found that using alcohol or illegal drugs while pregnant