What Is Orofacial Clefting?
An orofacial cleft is a congenital malformation that affects 1/1000 live births. It is characterized by an incomplete formation of structures separating the oral and nasal cavities. Other sources stated one in 700 babies each year are affected, and is ranked 4th in the most common birth defect in the United States. Children of Latino, Native American, or Asian descents have the occurrence more often. Data also indicates twice as many girls have the problem (cleft palates), as compared to boys.