Which of the Following is True of Cleft Lip and Cleft

Question

Which of the following is true of cleft lip and cleft palate?
A) Cleft lip is more common than cleft palate.
B) They are thought to be a multifactorial genetic disorder.
C) The combination of the two occurs in approximately 1:5000 births.
D) One surgery is generally all that is needed to correct cleft lip and cleft palate.

Accepted Answer

Cleft lip and cleft palate are believed to be caused by a combination of both genetic and environmental factors. While cleft lip is more common than cleft palate, the combination of the two occurring together is less frequent, estimated to be around 1:700 births. Treatment often requires multiple surgeries, including repair of the initial cleft and other associated issues such as speech and dental problems.