Cleft lip and palate are facial malformations that may occur separately or together. They may also occur in association with other syndromes or birth defects. The separation of the lip can vary from a small notch to a complete separation extending into the nose. The cause of these malformations may be mutant genes or teratogens. Teratogen's are agent that cause abnormalities in a developing fetus such as certain viruses or chemicals. As well as being disfiguring, these abnormalities can cause feedin

g difficulties and problems with speech development. Risk factors are a family history of cleft lip or palate and presence of another birth defect. The incidence of cleft lip and palate varies with different races; approximately 1 out of 1,000 Caucasians are affected. The incidence of cleft palate alone is 1 out of 2,500 people, not that rare of an occurrence.

Although it is considered an "abnormality", it shouldn't be thought of as a disability. But the effects and problems that may occur because of this defect should not be ignored or neglected, such as speech impairment. Parents of the child need not feel responsible for their child's disorder, there is no known preventive measure. Some parents decide that their child's disorder does not need to be repaired, but it would only benefit the child

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