what causes cleft palate

Cleft palate is caused when the tissues that form the roof of the baby's mouth do not properly join together during early pregnancy. This results in an opening or split in the palate. The causes are believed to be a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Genetically, clefts can run in families, and certain gene mutations are associated with cleft formation. Environmentally, factors that increase risk include maternal smoking, alcohol consumption, certain medications, infections during pregnancy like rubella, vitamin deficiencies (especially folate), and obesity. Exposure to some toxins, poor prenatal care, and certain syndromes can also contribute to the development of cleft palate. Overall, cleft palate occurs because the facial tissues don't fuse correctly in the first weeks of pregnancy due to complex interactions of inherited genes and environmental influences. In many cases, the exact cause remains unknown. Males more commonly have cleft lip, and females are more likely to have cleft palate without cleft lip.