What is a harelip?
A cleft lip, also known as a cleft lip and palate, is a crack in the lip and roof of the mouth. This kind of cleft may be limited to the lip or may extend to the palate, seriously affecting the child\’s appearance and speech ability, and may be accompanied by other developmental abnormalities. The incidence of harelips is approximately 1-2 per 1,000 births, and there is no difference in prevalence between men and women.
The genetic nature of harelips
Harelips are hereditary and are often caused by multiple inherited genes. In addition, environmental factors can also increase the risk of harelips. If a father or mother has a harelip, their child will be at increased risk of having a harelip, and this risk may increase with the presence of harelips in the family. If two mothers or fathers have a cleft palate, their children are at higher risk of having a cleft palate.
Types of harelips
There are two types of harelips: isolated harelips and syndromic harelips. Isolated harelips are clefts in the lip and roof of the mouth, while syndromic harelips are associated with other developmental abnormalities, such as heart defects or neurological defects.
How to reduce the risk of harelips?
Although cleft lip is hereditary, there are steps you can take to reduce your risk of developing it. These include managing your health before pregnancy (such as controlling diabetes or high blood pressure), avoiding exposure to chemicals and pollutants, avoiding certain medications, following a correct diet and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
Summary
Harelips are a hereditary deformity that may increase your risk through genetics and family history from parents and ancestors. There are two types of harelips: isolated harelips and syndromic harelips. While it\’s impossible to completely prevent the development of harelips, there are steps you can take to reduce your risk. Early detection and treatment can also improve children\’s quality of life and future development.
