cleft lip/palate

[bubbly2000]

I was born with a cleft lip. My sons wife is now pregnant and I am worried. My son and daughter were born perfect and as far as I know no one in either family has had this before. Can it be hereditary and can it be prevented or is it just something that can happen to anyone

[erin-x]

I wouldn't worry about it. Even if the baby is born with a cleft palate/lip it is easily corrected x

[Sqad]

There is no evidence to suggest that cleft palate is hereditary, there may be genetic factors but not heriditary.

Don.t worry.....a good idea is to make sure that your daughter in law takes folic acid during her pregnancy.

[Philtaz]

I wouldn't want to worry you but I will give you my story, or rather that of my children. After that you can decide if any of the info is relevant and whether or not you decide to take matters further.

After my son was born, it was noticed that he had lip pits. We thought nothing of it, his mother had them and guessed they were hereditary. When he was about 3 years old, as part of an ENT consultancy about his hearing it was noted that he had a bifurcated uvula.
Genetic and family tree studies followed and it was ascertained that he had Van Der Woude Syndrome.

http://en.wikipedia.o...an_der_Woude_syndrome

My daughter, 5 years older than my son has no signs of the syndrome but we have been told that both children have the possibility that their children may be born with the syndrome and all it entails.

My son has had corrective surgery at Alder Hey firstly for the uvula, then later for the lip pits (his were abnormally large and deep).

http://www.google.co....12j2.14.0.ExMv8mq7Qwk

The genetic research revealed several instances of cleft palate complications on my ex wife's side, nothing on mine.

To put your mind at rest, most cleft palate's these days are often picked up during the 20 week scan and as erin-x says, cleft palate/lip corrective surgery these days is fantastic, with any scars becoming almost invisible by the time the child reaches secondary school age.

With your own history of cleft lip it could be worth doing a little family research, just for elimination if nothing else.

[bubbly2000]

Thank-you for your answers. Philtaz, I was told, can't remember who by, that it misses a generation then may happen again. I know surgical correction is excellent, however I am still worrying, I can remember how horrible it was for me growing up, not only the bullying but all the operations and discomfort, no one wants that for their loved ones.

[Philtaz]

Try not to be too worried but if you have concerns you obviously need to discuss matters with your son and/or GP, if only to put your mind at ease. Is there any history elsewhere within the family on either side?
If not I'd reason that it's safe to assume that the risk is minimal but obviously cannot be discounted, however I'd hazard a guess that percentages would stack up in your favour.
I can't comment on the generation theory, it was fairly random in my ex wife's family.
My children are aware and thus will deal with matters appropriately when they start their own family.
Best of luck.

[NOX]

Bubbly- I can't help with your query but I think you sound pure lovely, what a nice caring human being. Congratulations on shortly becoming a grandthingy:)

[bubbly2000]

Thank-you, I feel a bit better. My son and daughter-in-law have been made aware of it, and seem to be ok, they will just await their scan result. Either way it won't go short of love.

Thank-you Nox. I am just a concerned first time nanna to be :)

[bubbly2000]

No Philtaz, after researching both families, we have found nothing, so I'll just keep everything crossed :)

[Philtaz]

Glad to hear it, hopefully we've all helped put your mind at ease.

Best of luck.