Hello Dr. Jiang, my baby has a cleft palate and has been to Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital for consultation.

Patient's question:

No

Doctor's answer:

The cause of cleft palate is not yet fully understood, but it is believed to be related to nutritional deficiencies in food during pregnancy, endocrine abnormalities, viral infections, and genetic factors. As a congenital developmental defect, the deformity of cleft palate changes with age during growth and development. This includes physiological developmental defects inherent in the deformity, secondary changes in the facial and jaw appearance caused by surgical trauma, functional impairments such as speech and hearing disorders, as well as psychological disorders formed by the patient in social interactions.
To prevent the occurrence of cleft palate, some preventive and health measures should be taken. Pregnant women should avoid picky eating during pregnancy, ensure adequate intake of vitamins B, C, and D, as well as calcium, iron, and phosphorus, maintain a calm mood, avoid mental stress, and refrain from taking antitumor drugs, anticonvulsants, histamine drugs, Cyclizine (a medication for nausea during pregnancy), and certain sleeping pills. They should also avoid smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, and exposure to radiation, microwaves, and other harmful substances.