Is cleft lip and palate hereditary? How to prevent it

Cleft lip and palate is a genetic disease, and there is a high possibility that it will be passed on to the next generation. However, if expectant mothers can pay attention to their diet, maintain a good and healthy mood, and actively treat the disease, they can effectively prevent the occurrence of this disease.

Studies have shown that cleft lip is a genetic disease and is inherited through multiple genes. Although the parents appear normal, they both carry the disease-causing gene and are affected by adverse environmental factors, so they may give birth to children with cleft lip. For multi-gene genetic diseases, the onset of the disease is often the result of the combined effects of genetic and environmental factors. Since genetic factors cannot be changed at present, environmental factors should be taken seriously. For example, if the couple carries the relevant disease-causing genes; if they lack nutrition in the first three months of pregnancy, such as vitamin A, vitamin B, or folic acid; if they are infected with viruses, such as rubella virus; if the expectant mother is nervous or injured, a stress response may occur, leading to endocrine changes, especially changes in adrenal cortex hormones, which can cause cleft lip and crotch in the fetus.

Prevention methods:

1. Eat a balanced diet

During pregnancy, pregnant mothers should eat more nutritious foods. They should not stop eating just because of the uncomfortable pregnancy reactions. Doing so will only cause the baby to lack nutrition in the body. They should often balance vegetables and meat to increase their nutrient absorption, and avoid eating foods with high salt content.

2. Avoid getting sick

It is very troublesome for a pregnant mother to be sick, and she cannot take ordinary cold medicine. Because some medicines contain hormones, they may cause the baby in the belly to have a cleft lip in the future. Therefore, pregnant women should avoid getting sick, or take medication under the doctor's advice. Even if they are sick, they should carefully choose treatment medication.

3. Good living environment

Also, after becoming pregnant, pregnant mothers should not live in an overly complicated environment. If they work in a place with a lot of dust and toxic gases, they should resign immediately once they find out they are pregnant and focus on taking care of the fetus. Only in this way can the baby grow and develop healthily.

4. Stay away from radiation

No matter how much you like playing computer games, it is best to spend less time in front of the computer after you become pregnant. At the same time, you should stay away from radiation, X-rays, etc. When you go to the hospital for examination, stay away from the radiation room.

5. Quit smoking and drinking

The worst thing pregnant women should do is smoke and drink, as they are most likely to conceive a baby with cleft lip in this state. If you are addicted to smoking and drinking, you must quit both.