Get Started

I'll show you how.
 

Find Advice

Let's Play Nice

We’re glad you’re here, and we want to know what you have to say. This is your community, but please remember that there are kids and great-aunts out here, too. Look out for each other. Whatever you post, make sure it helps, encourages, and gives back to the community. For details about our content policy, click here.

Education begins at home. You can't blame the school for not putting into your child what you don't put into him. ~Geoffrey Holder

Get Advice

 
previous previous  |  all  |  next next
avatar Anonymous

what can a parent do to prevent cleft lip from happening?



Question applies to ages: 0

reportReport

Rate Advice (2)

avatarElizabeth.Johns
# of Thumbs Up Received (76)
Top 5 in: Choosing College, Discipline, Families and Relationships, Family Activities, Growth and Development, Health and Wellness, Learning Disabilities and Special Needs, Learning Styles, Parents and Schools, Safety, School Policy and Education Issues, Study Skills and Academics, Summer Learning and Camps, Teens and Jobs, Transitions and Readiness, Motivating StudentsTop 5 in 16 Topics		 Because cleft lip/palate is a birth defect that happens in the early weeks of fetal development, it is impossible to determine whether anything can be done to prevent it from happening. Researchers are not even sure why it occurs.

This information from the March of Dimes web site describes some possible causes:
"What causes oral-facial clefts?
The causes of these birth defects are not well understood. Studies suggest that a number of genes, as well as environmental factors, such as drugs (including several different anti-seizure drugs) and maternal smoking, may contribute (3). Other environmental factors that are suspected of playing a role include infections, maternal alcohol use and deficiency of the B vitamin folic acid (3, 4).

Certain genes or gene mutations (changes) may cause cleft lip/palate, while others may cause isolated cleft palate."

If a woman is thinking about becoming pregnant, she should avoid smoking and alcohol, and take a vitamin supplement with folic acid.

About 1 in 750 to 1 in 1,000 babies are born with cleft lip/palate, and it is very treatable. Here are some web sites with additional information:
www.cleftline.org/
kidshealth.org/parent/medical/ears/cleft_lip_palat



References:
mom of a child born with a birth defect
Was this helpful?    thumb up  |  thumb down
reportReport
avatarLiz
# of Thumbs Up Received (6)
Safety # of Thumbs Up Received (1)		 Cleft lip is a congenital situation meaning that it happens as the embryo is developing. According to quick research on the Web, on average, it occurs in about 1 of every 700 births although it statistically occurs more frequently among Asians, certain Native American groups, and African-Americans. About 22% of cleft lips are genetically caused. The rest appear to be possibly caused by any one of a number of factors, such as the mother undergoing radiation or chemotherapy during pregnancy, drinking during pregnancy, or a severe illness during pregnancy. These things don't mean that the baby WILL have a cleft lip but they raise the risk.
It sounds as if you are worried about the possibility of this occurring in your unborn baby, so please do discuss it thoroughly with your obstetrician. The good news is that there are procedures that can detect birth defects very early on, and there have been great advances in surgical techniques to correct cleft lip.
Here is a site you may want to check out:
www.medicinenet.com/cleft_palate_and_cleft_lip/art
Also, just enter "Cleft lip causes" in Google or Yahoo search, and you'll find more detailed information. And do discuss this concern with your obstetrician who is caring for you and your baby to ease your mind.
Was this helpful?    thumb up  |  thumb down
reportReport

EduGuide does not evaluate or guarantee the accuracy of any EduGuide Advice content. Click here for the Full Disclaimer. Help us improve EduGude Advice. Tell us what you think.

McAfee Secure sites help keep you safe from identity theft, credit card fraud, spyware, spam, viruses and online scams
Parents |  Students |  Professionals |  Our Cause |  Site Map |  Contact Us
Website Development by Web Ascender
Privacy Policy |  Terms of Use | © 2008 EduGuide