Cleft Lip and Palate

Causes & Prevention

The Exact Causes of Cleft Lip/Palate are Unknown, but There are Known Risk Factors

In England and the US, about 1 in 700 babies is born with a cleft (that's about 1,000 each year in the UK and about 5,000 each year in the US).

According to the Mayo Clinic, researchers believe that most cases of cleft lip and cleft palate are caused by a unique interaction of genetic and environmental factors, although a definite cause may never be discovered for each child.

What Does It Mean When Medical Experts Say "Race" Is A Risk Factor For Certain Diseases?

Editor's Note:

"Race" is sometimes mentioned as a risk factor in the development of certain cancers and a number of other diseases. When you read this in a discussion about an illness, note that the explanation seldom refers to anything biological. Instead, it usually refers to behavior, such as eating habits. The kinds of behavior usually mentioned as risk factors are culturally determined. They are not genetic or biological.