Chances of having a child with a cleft palate or cleft lip

If a parent has a cleft lip or cleft palate or has a child with one, the chances of having another child with the condition increase. The following table illustrates the risks.1

Chances of having a child with a cleft lip or cleft palate
Does the parent have cleft lip or cleft palate?Does the parent have a child with cleft lip or cleft palate?Chance of a child or another child with cleft palateChance of a child or another child with cleft lip with or without cleft palate
NoNo0.04% (1 in 2,500)0.1% (1 in 1,000)
NoYes, 1 child affected2% (1 in 50)4% (1 in 25)
NoYes, 2 children affected8% (1 in 12)9% (1 in 11)
YesNo6% (1 in 17)4% (1 in 25)
YesYes15% (1 in 7)17% (1 in 6)


Author: Debby Golonka, MPHLast Updated: February 4, 2008
Medical Review: Michael J. Sexton, MD - Pediatrics
Arden Christen, DDS, MSD, MA, FACD - Dentistry

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