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Causes of Cleft lip and palate

As the baby develops during pregnancy, the lip and palate form from tissues on either side of the tongue.  These tissues normally join in the middle to form a single lip and palate.

If the tissues fail to join up in the middle of the face a gap occurs in the lip.   This is usually on one side only underneath either nostril (unilateral cleft lip) or sometimes beneath both nostrils (bilateral cleft lip).   The lip usually closes around five to six weeks after conception and the palate at around ten weeks. 

If the tissues forming the palate fail to join up, a gap is left in the roof of the mouth running up into the nose.

It is not entirely clear why this happens in some babies but cleft lip and palate can run in families so it is likely that there may be a genetic factor.  

Some types of drugs taken in pregnancy may also increase the risk.  These include anticonvulsives, usually taken for epilepsy, and drugs for insomnia and anxiety such as diazepam and corticosteroids.

Other possible causes include infections during pregnancy, smoking and alcohol use during pregnancy and deficiency of the B vitamin folic acid.

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