CAUSES
Cleft lip and palate are usually caused by a combination of A. genetic and B. other factors.
Sometimes clefts run in the family. Cleft lip alone and cleft lip and palate are more common in boys. Cleft palate alone is more common in girls.
Doctors can't reliably predict which pregnancies will be affected. But if you are pregnant, the following may increase your risk of having a baby with cleft lip or palate:
* having an infection
* smoking or drinking alcohol
* not having enough folic acid
* taking certain medicines, including some anti-epilepsy medicines, steroids and benzodiazepines for insomnia or anxiety (you should talk to your doctor before trying for a baby if you're taking these medicines)
Occasionally, babies may develop cleft lip or palate in combination with other defects.