Key Facts Cleft lip and cleft palate are congenital deformities occurring when parts of the lip or palate do not fuse properly during early fetal development Approximately 1 in 700 babies is born with a cleft lip, a cleft palate, or both Both genetic and environmental factors contribute to the development of clefts Various treatments, including surgery and therapy, can help correct cleft lip and palate Early intervention and proper management can yield excellent outcomes for individuals with cleft lip and palate What is Cleft Lip and Cleft Palate? Cleft lip is a physical split or opening in the upper lip. The cleft can range from a small notch to…