Prenatal diagnosis of cleft lip and/or palate: What do we tell prospective parents?

Abstract

Cleft lip and/or palate (CL/CP) is the most common congenital craniofacial anomaly and parents often ask, “how did this happen?” Patients and families may benefit from access to a multidisciplinary team (MDT) from prenatal diagnosis into early adulthood. Multiple factors can contribute to the development of a cleft. We discuss the epidemiology and risk factors that increase the likelihood of having a newborn with a cleft. The purpose of this article is to review the prenatal investigations involved in the diagnosis and workup of these patients in addition to postpartum treatment, prognostic factors, and counseling families regarding future recurrence risk.

Diagnostic Methods for the Prenatal Detection of Cleft Lip and Palate: A Systematic Review

“…The prenatal detection of cleft palate remains a challenge [39]. However, the arrival of artificial intelligence is a positive aspect in addressing these patients, as it has been demonstrated that deep learning models revolutionize the diagnostic process, predict susceptibility to CLP, and enhance alveolar bone grafts and orthodontic treatment [40,41], assisting caregivers in reducing the burden associated with the process of this pathology [42,43].…”