A 42-year-old member asked:
is low folate (folic acid) why babies have cleft lip and palate?
2 doctor answers • 9 doctors weighed in
Dr. Suman Das answered
Plastic Surgery 54 years experience
May be.: In experimental rats it has been shown that folate (folic acid) deficiency causes increased incidence of clefting of the face.Some people tried to extrapolate in human and feels giving extra Folic Acid during preganancy reduces the chance of having babies with cleft.But this has not been proven yet by clinical trial scientifically.
5888 viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Richard Zienowicz answered
Plastic Surgery 38 years experience
Not known: There are neural tube defects related to low folate (folic acid) levels during pregnancy but cleft lip and palate is principally felt to be related to environmental toxins and/ or genetic inheritance. Folic acid deficiency is still being investigated as a possible cause.
5886 viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. James Sidman commented
Pediatric ENT and Head and Neck Surgery 40 years experience
This is not entirely correct. There is very strong evidence that folate levels are correlated with cleft lip and palate but it is not clear that taking folate changes the risk of having a baby with clefting.
Sep 6, 2013
90,000 U.S. doctors in 147 specialties are here to answer your questions or offer you advice, prescriptions, and more. Get help now:
90,000 U.S. doctors in 147 specialties are here to answer your questions or offer you advice, prescriptions, and more. Get help now:
Last updated May 20, 2015
People also asked
Connect with a U.S. board-certified doctor by text or video anytime, anywhere.
24/7 visits
$15 per month
Disclaimer:
Content on HealthTap (including answers) should not be used for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and interactions on HealthTap do not create a doctor-patient relationship. Never disregard or delay professional medical advice in person because of anything on HealthTap. Call your doctor or 911 if you think you may have a medical emergency.