Cleft lip/palate risk

Cleft lip and cleft palate are birth disorders affecting the development of the mouth. Cleft lip is characterized by a failure of the lip to join before birth, resulting in an opening running from the lip to the nose. In cleft palate, the roof of the mouth does not join correctly. Cleft lip and palate may occur together or individually, and can usually be surgically corrected. Cleft lip/palate risk refers to the likelihood of developing either of these conditions.^[1]