Cleft Lip/Palate

Cleft lip and palate are birth defects affecting the nose, lips and palate of a baby.  The defect can be on one or two sides, or in the middle.  It may or may not include the palate. Occasionally, there may be a cleft palate in isolation.  Cleft lip is usually seen by ultrasound at 20 weeks, cleft palate is more difficult to see.  3D ultrasound may help in seeing these birth defects better.  Cleft lip and palate are fixable and manageable after birth, however it is important to have a detailed ultrasound of the rest of the baby’s organs especially the heart and brain.  If other defects are present, then chromosomal evaluation may be needed.