Cleft Lip

Cleft Lip is a birth defect that affects the face and mouth, where there is an opening or split in the upper lip. This happens when the tissues that form the lip do not join completely during early pregnancy. The condition can affect one or both sides of the lip and may extend into the nose. It primarily impacts the appearance and can cause difficulties with feeding, speech, and sometimes dental problems. The condition involves the muscles and skin of the lip and can be associated with other facial abnormalities. Early diagnosis and care are important for managing the challenges it presents.

Cleft Lip is a congenital malformation characterized by a failure of fusion of the maxillary and medial nasal processes during embryonic development, resulting in a fissure or gap in the upper lip. This defect arises from disrupted morphogenesis typically between the 4th and 7th weeks of gestation. The condition may occur in isolation or as part of a syndrome and is often associated with a cleft palate. It has a multifactorial etiology involving genetic factors such as mutations in IRF6 and environmental influences like maternal smoking or folate deficiency. Clinically, it presents with a visible split in the lip that can impair feeding, speech development, and increase the risk of ear infections. The defect also has significant psychosocial implications due to facial appearance. Surgical repair is the mainstay of treatment to restore function and aesthetics.