Cleft palate

Cleft palate is a congenital defect of the roof of the mouth caused by incomplete fusion of the palatal shelves. It can manifest as a gap in the palate, a cleft lip, or both. It can cause difficulty with feeding and speaking, and can lead to ear infections and hearing loss. Cleft palate most often develops during the first trimester of pregnancy and is usually diagnosed at birth. Treatment typically includes surgery to close the gap, followed by speech therapy.