This is caused by a lack of connection or anomalous fusion between the parts that make up the lip or palate. It is colloquially referred to as a 'hare lip' and 'wolf's mouth'. Most parents choose, if possible, to have surgery on their child as soon as possible to reduce/hide the defect.

Known causes of cleft lip and palate

The search for a clear cause leading to the development of cleft lip and palate is still ongoing. Contributing factors include:

• genetic factors (although the mode of inheritance is not known)
• ionising radiation
• drinking alcohol during pregnancy
• use of drugs, excessive amounts of nicotine and other stimulants during pregnancy
• vitamin deficiencies in the woman's diet, including folic acid and vitamin A
• viral infections during pregnancy
• bacterial infections during pregnancy, and many others

It is worth bearing in mind that taking certain medications during pregnancy and the mother's illnesses (diabetes, renal failure) can contribute to the development of a cleft lip and palate.

At present, a distinction is made between:

• cleft lip (unilateral, partial or complete)
• cleft palate (separation of the soft and hard palate)
• cleft lip and palate (unilateral or bilateral).

Treatment of cleft lip and palate

Cleft lip and palate, is categorised as a malformation, a complex malformation, in which treatment takes place in multiple stages and is usually several years long, involving a large number of specialists. The first operation can take place after the age of three months (cleft lip), in the case of the palate after the age of four. The specialists involved in all operations and in the rehabilitation of the child include a plastic surgeon, a speech therapist, a phoniatrist, a dentist, a maxillofacial surgeon and an orthodontist.