[Orofacial clefts]

Abstract

Orofacial clefts are one of the most common birth defects in humans with a prevalence of 1:700. Nonsyndromic cleft lip with or without cleft palate or isolated cleft palate show an incomplete separation of the oral cavity and the nasal space without any additional malformations. Beside complete cleft palate also submucous celft palates exist that are hidden below the intact mucosa. The aetiology of celfts is a complex interaction between environmental and genetic factors. Orofacial clefts cause many complications like feeding, speech and hearing problems needing a team of head and neck surgeons, oral and maxillofacial surgeons, phoniatricians and speech therapist for treatment. Often a genetic counselling is made for estimating the risk for the relatives.