What Is a Cleft Palate?
A cleft palate is a common birth defect that affects the roof of the mouth. Here is what you need to know.
A cleft palate is an opening in the roof of the mouth (palate) that occurs when the tissues do not fuse completely during early pregnancy. It can affect the soft palate (back), hard palate (front), or both.
- Types of cleft palate:
- Incomplete cleft palate β an opening in the soft palate only (back of the mouth)
- Complete cleft palate β an opening in both the soft and hard palate
- Submucous cleft palate β the muscle is split but the surface tissue is intact (harder to see)
- Unilateral/bilateral β may affect one or both sides
- How it affects function:
- Feeding β babies with cleft palate cannot create suction, making feeding difficult
- Speech β air leaks through the nose during speech, causing hypernasal speech
- Hearing β middle ear infections are common
- Dental development β teeth may be missing or misaligned
- Timing of treatment:
- Cleft palate repair is typically performed at 9β12 months of age
- This timing allows for normal speech development
What Causes It
Like cleft lip, cleft palate results from a combination of genetic and environmental factors. It can occur with or without a cleft lip.
Clinical Guidance
A cleft palate is an opening in the roof of the mouth that affects feeding, speech, hearing, and dental development. It is treated with surgery around 9β12 months of age. With proper multidisciplinary care, children with cleft palate develop normal speech and eating abilities.