Clefts

Cleft Lip and Palate

Signs and Symptoms
Diagnosis
Treatment

Signs and Symptoms

A cleft lip and palate is noted at birth by the presence of a gap or cleft in the upper lip either on one or both sides of the lip together with a cleft in the palate (the roof of the mouth). A cleft palate can either be open and obvious or be covered over by the lining or mucous membrane of the roof of the mouth, called a submucous cleft, which is not visible to the naked eye.

An infant with cleft lip and palate usually needs to be bottle-fed (either breast milk or formula) using special nipples.

Reviewed by health care specialists at UCSF Children's Hospital.
Last updated May 8, 2007