A congenital fissure in the roof of the mouth (palate) and/or the lip. It is found in varying degrees of severity in about one in 700 children. Modern plastic surgery can greatly improve the functioning of lips and palate and the appearance of the baby, although further cosmetic surgery in later years may be necessary. The parent of the child who has cleft lip and/or palate will be given detailed advice specific to his or her case. In general the team of specialists involved are the paediatrician, plastic surgeon, dentist or orthodontic specialist, and speech therapist. (See PALATE, MALFORMATIONS OF.)