Craniofacial birth defects, such as cleft lip and palate, are the most prominent birth defects worldwide. A cleft lip or palate occurs when the lip or palate does not form properly, which occurs during early pregnancy. Research is still being conducted to find out the exact causes of these deformities, though it is known that there are complex genetic and environmental factors.
About one in every 600-700 children are born with a cleft lip and palate in the US yearly. Depending on the severity of the cleft, an affected child will need to undergo somewhere between four to fourteen surgeries. In addition to repair and reconstructive surgeries, affected children undergo extensive dental and orthodontic work and often need counseling for the emotional challenges they face.
