What is the main cause of cleft lip?
Cleft lip and cleft palate are thought to be caused by a combination of genes and other factors, such as things the mother comes in contact with in her environment, or what the mother eats or drinks, or certain medications she uses during pregnancy.
How do you get cleft lip?
What Causes Cleft Lip? During the first 6 to 10 weeks of pregnancy, the bones and skin of a baby’s upper jaw, nose, and mouth normally come together (fuse) to form the roof of the mouth and the upper lip. A cleft lip happens when parts of the upper lip and/or gum do not fuse together completely.
Where is cleft lip most common?
Cleft lip and/or cleft palate affects 1 in 1,000 babies every year, and is the fourth most common birth defect in the United States. Clefts occur more often in children of Asian descent. Twice as many boys as girls have a cleft lip, both with and without a cleft palate.
Does smoking cause cleft lip?
Maternal smoking is an established risk factor for oral clefts. A recent meta-analysis of 24 studies estimated that mothers who smoked during pregnancy had a 1.3 fold increased risk of having a baby with cleft lip with or without cleft palate, and a 1.2-fold risk of cleft palate alone.
Can a cleft lip be prevented?
While many cases of cleft lip and cleft palate can’t be prevented, consider these steps to increase your understanding or lower your risk: Consider genetic counseling. If you have a family history of cleft lip and cleft palate, tell your doctor before you become pregnant.
Is cleft lip hereditary?
The causes of cleft lip and cleft palate (or both) are unknown, although hereditary (genetic) factors sometimes play a small role. A cleft lip or cleft palate (or both) is not caused by anything the parents did or did not do during the pregnancy.
What environmental factors can cause cleft lip?
Environmental Factors
- exposure to German measles (Rubella) or other infections.
- certain medications.
- alcohol and drug usage.
- cigarette smoking.
- certain vitamin deficiencies, especially during early pregnancy.
What are the chances of having a baby with cleft lip?
About 1 or 2 in 1,000 babies (less than 1 percent) are born with cleft lip and palate each year in the United States. Cleft lip and cleft palate happen very early in pregnancy. Your baby’s lips form between 4 and 7 weeks of pregnancy, and the palate forms between 6 and 9 weeks of pregnancy.