A cleft palate is a congenital condition where there is an opening or gap in the roof of the mouth (palate) due to incomplete development during pregnancy. It can occur alone or along with a cleft lip.<br /><br />Types of Cleft Palate:<br /><br />1. Incomplete Cleft Palate – A small gap in the soft palate.<br /><br /><br />2. Complete Cleft Palate – A gap extending from the soft palate to the hard palate.<br /><br /><br />3. Submucous Cleft Palate – The tissues cover the cleft, making it less visible.<br /><br /><br /><br />Causes:<br /><br />Genetic factors<br /><br />Environmental factors (smoking, alcohol, certain medications during pregnancy)<br /><br />Nutritional deficiencies (like folic acid)<br /><br /><br />Complications:<br /><br />Difficulty feeding in infants<br /><br />Speech and language delays<br /><br />Increased risk of ear infections<br /><br />Dental problems<br /><br /><br />Treatment:<br /><br />Surgery: Usually done between 6-12 months of age<br /><br />Speech therapy<br /><br />Orthodontic treatment if needed<br /><br />Hearing support if ear issues develop<br />AL-Mustaqbal The first university in Iraq