Cleft lip and cleft palate are openings or split in the upper lip, the roof of the mouth (palate) or both that results when the roof of the mouth, called the palate, fails to make complete during early fetal development. This causes a niche, called a cleft, within the palate. It's also possible for children to have a cleft lip only and a normal palate. Children who have clefts often produce other health issues. They can have trouble eating and talking. They may also have hearing problems, problems with their ears, or problems with their teeth.
Symptoms
- A cleft palate can either be an open and obvious gap in the roof of the mouth or a cleft that's covered over by the lining or mucous membrane of the palate. The latter, known as a submucous cleft, isn't visible to the naked eye.
- A split within the lip and roof of the mouth (palate) that affects one or each side of the face.
- A split within the lip that appears as only a little notch within the lip or extends from the lip through the upper gum and palate into rock bottom of the nose.
- A split in the roof of the mouth that doesn't affect the appearance of the face
Signs and symptoms of submucous birth defect may include:
- Difficulty with feedings
- Difficulty swallowing, with potential for liquids or foods to return out the nose
- Nasal speaking voice
- Chronic ear infections
