| Cleft lip/Cleft Palate |
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The most common defects of the skull and face are cleft lip and cleft palate. These defects result from the failure of the upper lip or the roof or the mouth to close during fetal development. Cleft lip and palate can be on one side (unilateral) or on both sides (bilateral). The defects usually occur together and affect about one in every 600-700 births. Surgical repair is needed to close the lip and palate. Eating and speech development are the biggest concerns.
China defines clefts on the basis of 1st, 2nd, and 3rd degrees.
1st degree cleft lip and 2nd degree cleft lip are called incomplete cleft lip. 3rd degree cleft lip is called complete cleft lip.
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