Hello pcdoc123,
Cleft palates (cheiloschisis in medical terminology) can be single
sided, bilateral, or consist of one opening in the middle. There are
various forms of clefting defects. Today, the term ?harelip? is no
longer used in the medical community, because the term is considered
insensitive to afflicted patients.
Some cleft palates are indeed due to hereditary causes, the gene
being passed from the mother and/or the father. One of every 700
children born have a clefting defect, which presents sometime during
the 4th and 8th week of gestation, and is more common in boys. Only
one in 5 clefting defects is inherited. Maternal use of drugs,
alcohol, some medications, and smoking make clefting more likely to
occur. A lack of adequate amounts of folic acid (folate) or an excess
of Vitamin A can cause clefting as well. Use of Accutane for acne
during early pregnancy has been known to cause clefting defects.
If there is reason to believe clefting is genetic in your family,
you can obtain genetic testing and counseling. Ask your obstetrician
about arrangements in your area.
?What are my risks for having a baby with a cleft lip or palate?
In general, the risks of giving birth to a child with a cleft palate
are highest when both parents have clefts themselves. If only one
parent has a cleft palate, the risk of having a baby with a cleft
palate is 1 in 20 (5%). If a set of parents, neither of whom have a
cleft, gives birth to a child with a cleft, the chances of them giving
birth to a second child with a cleft palate is between 2 to 4 percent.
Can a cleft lip and palate be prevented?
The major issue in prevention of cleft palates is public education of
possible environmental and genetic dangers to their children.
Increased access to prenatal care for mothers and an effort to
decrease teen pregnancies are important goals. Women older than 35
must be counseled regarding the maternal age risk factors because
older women are more likely to give birth to a child with a birth
defect. Also, families with a history of cleft palates should seek
genetic counseling to determine their relative risks for giving birth
to a child with a cleft palate.?
http://www.healthsystem.virginia.edu/internet/pediatrics/patients/Tutorials/cleft/causes_and_risk_factors.cfm
?A cleft lip is a separation of the two sides of the lip. The
separation often includes the bones of the upper jaw and/or upper gum.
A cleft palate is an opening in the roof of the mouth in which the two
sides of the palate did not fuse, or join together, as the unborn baby
was developing. Cleft lip and cleft palate can occur on one side
(unilateral cleft lip and/or palate), or on both sides (bilateral
cleft lip and/or palate). Because the lip and the palate develop
separately, it is possible for the child to have a cleft lip, a cleft
palate, or both cleft lip and cleft palate.
Cleft lip and cleft palate are congenital defects, or birth defects,
which occur very early in pregnancy. The majority of clefts appear to
be due to a combination of genetics and environmental factors. The
risks of recurrence of a cleft condition are dependent upon many
factors, including the number of affected persons in the family, the
closeness of affected relatives, the race and sex of all affected
persons, and the severity of the clefts.?
http://www.cleftline.org/
This site does not grant copying or reprinting without permission, but
you?ll find lots of information here:
http://www.widesmiles.org/cleftlinks/WS-168.html
What causes a cleft?
http://www.widesmiles.org/cleftlinks/WS-632.html
More information:
http://www.marchofdimes.com/professionals/681_1210.asp
http://kidshealth.org/teen/diseases_conditions/sight/cleft_p2.html
http://kidshealth.org/parent/medical/ears/cleft_lip_palate.html
http://www.emedicine.com/plastic/topic167.htm
I hope this has helped you understand more. If any part of my answer
is unclear, please request an Answer Clarification and wait for my
reply, before rating. This will allow me to assist you further, if
possible.
Regards, Crabcakes
Search Terms
Cleft palate etiology
Clefting defects
harelip |
