What is cleft palate?

Cleft palate is a treatable birth defect in which the baby's roof of the mouth (palate) does not develop normally during pregnancy, leaving an opening (cleft) that may go through to the nasal cavity. Cleft palate may involve any part of the palate, including the front part of the roof of the mouth (hard palate) or the small tag of tissue that hangs down from the soft palate (uvula). It may also occur by itself or along with other birth defects of the face and skull, particularly cleft lip.

Cleft palate and cleft lip are the most common congenital defects of the head and neck.¹ Until treated surgically, cleft palate can interfere with feeding, speech development, and hearing.

See pictures of two different types of cleft palate and two types of cleft lip.

What causes cleft palate?

Cleft palate may be caused by genetic and environmental factors, although the exact relationships are not clearly understood. If you were born with a cleft palate, your children will have an increased risk for the defect.

A baby may be at higher risk for being born with cleft palate if during pregnancy the mother uses certain medicines, is exposed to radiation or infections, takes illegal drugs, smokes, or drinks alcohol.

What are the symptoms?

Some forms of cleft palate are obvious at birth because they produce distinctive facial deformities. But the way a newborn's face looks does not always indicate the seriousness of the condition. The most reliable indicator of severity is the location of the cleft. For example, a nonvisible small cleft in the soft palate may have greater long-term impact-because of its effect on speech-than a visible large cleft.

Babies with cleft palate generally have feeding problems because they are not able to suck and swallow normally.

How is cleft palate diagnosed?

Cleft palate is diagnosed by a physical exam shortly after birth.

Fetal ultrasound can sometimes detect cleft palate as early as 14 to 16 weeks of gestation, especially if it is severe and occurs along with a cleft lip. But fetal ultrasound is not reliable for this purpose.

How is it treated?

Treatment for cleft palate usually involves a team of doctors and other health professionals. A doctor or nurse can guide you on how to feed and care for your baby.

Surgery is done to correct the defect, usually when your child is between 12 months and 18 months of age. More than one procedure is often needed. Surgical corrections specifically for cleft palate usually are completed by your child's teen years.

Some children with cleft palate develop problems that require special treatment, such as speech and hearing difficulties, sinus and ear infections, or complications following surgery to correct cleft palate. Dental problems sometimes also occur, such as having extra, misshapen, or missing teeth.

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