Clefts

Cleft Palate Only

Signs and Symptoms
Diagnosis
Treatment

Diagnosis

Cleft palate is diagnosed by physical examination at birth, and unlike a cleft lip, a cleft palate is usually not detectable in the womb via ultrasound. Because a submucous cleft palate is not visible to the naked eye, this type of cleft palate may not be identified at birth, but rather be diagnosed later if the child experiences swallowing or speech difficulties.

A genetic evaluation can determine if the cleft is an isolated condition or part of another syndrome or condition. A cleft lip and palate should be diagnosed and treated by an experienced team of experts recognized by the American Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association, like the Center for Craniofacial Anomalies at UCSF.

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