The primary factors contributing to cleft lip include the following:
1. Viral infections:
Such as upper respiratory infections or rubella in pregnant women.
2. Medication effects:
Such as taking antiepileptic drugs, cholesterol-lowering agents, antiallergic drugs, or anticancer drugs.
4. Nutritional factors:
Deficiencies in vitamin D, folic acid, iron, calcium, etc., caused by vomiting, anorexia, or picky eating during early pregnancy.
5. External factors:
Exposure to X-rays, smoking (active/passive), alcohol (excessive consumption), hypoxia (anesthesia or altitude sickness).
Appropriate folic acid supplementation during pregnancy can help prevent congenital cleft lip and palate. Insufficient folic acid intake during pregnancy increases the risk of having a child with a cleft lip by sixfold. Women of reproductive age are advised to take folic acid under medical guidance.