Cleft Lip and Palate

Abstract

Cleft lip (CL) and palate are the most common congenital craniofacial anomalies. The overall incidence of cleft lip and palate (CLP) is 1/700, with cleft lip and palate as the most common diagnosis, followed by isolated cleft palate (CP), and then isolated cleft lip. Unilateral clefts have significantly higher incidence compared to bilateral clefts. The majority of bilateral cleft lips and unilateral cleft lips are associated with a cleft palate. Males are predominant in the cleft lip and palate population. Both environmental and genetic factors have their influence in the genesis of cleft lip and palate. Cleft palate differs etiologically and embryologically from cleft lip and palate. Prenatal diagnosis of CL on a prenatal ultrasound is possible in more than 70% of cases. Clefts are typically divided into four groups: cleft of primary palate (unilateral, bilateral, total, or subtotal), cleft of secondary palate (total, subtotal, submucosal), cleft of primary and secondary palate (unilateral, bilateral, total, or subtotal), and rare facial cleft. Cleft lip and palate can be associated with a large number of syndromes. Goals of treatment include feeding counseling, surgical treatment, hearing evaluation, speech evaluation, orthodontic treatment, and additional surgical treatment. Individuals born with cleft lip and or palate require coordinated care from multidisciplinary team of different specialties.