Diagnosis | Cleft Palate

Most experts believe that clefts are caused by a combination of environmental and genetic factors, but the exact cause is not known.

Some behaviors may increase your chances of having a child born with a cleft palate, including:

• Smoking
• Using illegal substances, such as cocaine
• Taking some medications while pregnant, including:
  • Dilantin, a seizure medication
  • Acne medications containing Accutane
  • Methotrexate, a drug commonly used for treating cancer, arthritis, and psoriasis
    
• Taking an excess of vitamin A
• Not getting enough folic acid in your diet
• Drinking alcohol while pregnant

Genetics also play a primary role in this birth defect. Cleft palate or lip may be passed from generation to generation via a defect in a gene that is passed to the baby by one or both parents. The cleft palate or lip may also be part of a genetic syndrome. A genetic syndrome, such as Down syndrome, can result in the infant having a cleft palate or lip. In fact, cleft palate or cleft lip is related to more than 400 syndromes.

If you are planning a pregnancy, you should visit a geneticist. He or she will ask you questions regarding your family and prenatal medical history. The doctor may also ask to examine members of family with the birth defect. After ordering a chromosome test and other evaluations, the geneticist will be able to estimate your chances for having a child with a cleft.

If you are already pregnant, a diagnosis of cleft lip or palate can sometimes be made before the baby's birth with an ultrasound scan, but the diagnosis is typically made at birth. During the baby's first examination, your doctor will be able to determine if only the palate is cleft, but the lip is not.