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  • Q&A with Australian Health Practitioners

    What is cleft lip / palate?

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    Anonymous

     A cleft lip and a cleft palate is an abnormal gap in the upper lip and the roof of the mouth. It occurs when some parts of the mouth fail to close around the 6th week of pregnancy. As the lip and palate develop separately it is possible for a baby to be born with only a cleft lip, only a cleft palate, or a combination of both.
    Clefts that occur only on one side are called unilateral clefts. When the cleft affects both sides, it is called a bilateral cleft.

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    Manish Ahuja

    HealthShare Member

    A cleft lip can range from a little notch in the coloured part of the lip to a complete separation of the upper lip which can extend up and into the nose. This can affect one side of the mouth (unilateral) or both sides (bilateral), and can be complete (meaning the cleft goes up into the nose) or incomplete.

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