what are the chances of second baby having cleft lip and palate?

[highlandbird]

DS was born with a bright red scar from his lip to his nose, the paediatrician came to the conclusion he had a cleft lip and palate that had healed in utero before he was born, so so lucky that he didn't have to go through any operations that children have to when born with a cleft lip, and the scar has now faded lots.
I'm only 6 weeks pg with DC2 but I was just wondering if anyone knows what the chances are of this happening again? My gp mentioned that maybe I should be taking a double dose of folic acid, but she wasn't sure whether it would be harmful or not. Also she wasn't sure whether it was a genetic problem, and what the chance would be of it ocurring again, although she said she would put a special note in for the detailed scan (it wasn't picked up on detailed scan with DS)
Just wondering what advice others have been given with second pregnancy, more folic acid or not??? I feel as though my first trimeseter is flying by without getting any answers and I know that's the really important time for folic acid.

bump

Ask to see a geneticist? Fwiw, I have a cleft but none of my siblings do & I have 2 children, neither of whom have clefts.

I don't think it would hurt to take extra folic acid but I don't think that has anything to do with facial clefts either.

I'm not sure, anecdotally my best mate had a cleft lip but none of her siblings did.

According to Wiki, folic acid is water-soluble and you therefore just pee out any excess (assuming you don't have kidney problems). How remarkable that your son's cleft healed itself. I wonder how often that happens?

Both my nephews (SIL's children) were born with cleft lip and palate.

Letsblow me too. I had a cleft but saw a geneticist during pg with ds1 and it was established no genetic issue. None of my subs or dc have it, but weakness was in my paternal family tree. Fascinating stuff.
Definitely see a genetics consultant if you an get it. We were just referred by gp - or was it my maxillo consultant (sorry can't remember) and got seen quite quickly. We got "4d" scans to check and this was in the very early days 12 yrs ago when they were almost experimental!!

Subs = SIBS + autocorrect!!!

How remarkable that your son's cleft healed itself. I wonder how often that happens?

As often as a child is born without a cleft. The way the feotus develops around the mouth is several pieces that grow together and fuse. This is why it is more common in conjunction with serious birth defects, the body has just not developed properly. It's also the reaon we have a philtrum.

OP, as others have said only a geneticist can tell you. I believe it is one of those things that can happen spontaneously or can run in a family, a bit like the likleyhood of twins.

You are already pregnant so I supose the question is, will this baby have a cleft? You will eb able to find that out through scans, but not until later.

Thanks so much for all your replies, it doesn't seem to be something that runs in either of our families (no history of it anyway) so maybe that's why no genetics consultant has been mentioned? I think I'll call the gp again to discuss it tomorrow, as I had expected a response by now anyhow.

wow that clip is amazing! thanks sashh makes a lot more sense now, I suppose DS's palate and lip fused a wee bit later than normal which is why it is so noticeable, although the scar is to the left of the philtrum and pulls his nostril down slightly, must look like a very tidy scar from a cleft operation as two people who have had a relative with clefts have asked me about it.
And yes the gp did mention that they would have a careful look during the detailed 20 week scan so we will just have to wait and see then I suppose.

Thanks again!

sashh, but surely, since the scar is not straight and looks like a scar rather than a philtrum, it would suggest that there was a cleft that fixed itself much later than the average coming together of those bits during early pregnancy?

I read a while ago about some experimental in-uterro repair being done. No idea whether it happens, or indeed how but apparently the results were good. Can only assume it might have been in the US not Uk. Anyway, apparently the results of the repairs done before birth were amazing and no scars. It's unbelievable, might have to google to see what it was all about.

This is completely anecdotal but there's a family at church with 5 children. One had a cleft lip and palate, the other 4 didn't have any problems at all. The one with healed fine after an op and now you wouldn't be able to tell.

I do know one family of four children where three were born with a cleft lip and palate. But I know far more families where only one child had a cleft lip and palate.

MrsShrek I heard of in-utero repair surgery as well, only through the paediatrician, not sure how they would go about it though, incredible!! Waiting to hear from midwife now and hopefully I can ask some more questions, doesn't look as though I'll get to see a geneticist though.
Thanks all for your comments.

i know a family of three children, the dad had cleft lip and palate, and one of their three children was born with it. it was picked up on scans and he has had it repaired, the repairs they make are very good today. the little boy i know needs a further operation to his palate (had one already but there is still a hole) but he is a lovely wee boy, just delightful.

yes speak to your midwife, they should refer you to a consultant and you should get an extra scan.

Thanks 5madthings yes the repairs they can do now are really good, we're so lucky to have that standard of surgery in our country, as much as everyone seems to have a go at the NHS sometimes. I really don't mind DS's scar at all, I think it adds to his character and makes him unique I think what would worry me most would be the difficulties with feeding etc in the early stages, as well as the thought of a poor baby going through operations, but I suppose we would have to cross those bridges if and when. I think realistically though it won't happen again as there isn't any family history, will wait and see.

How remarkable that your son's cleft healed itself. I wonder how often that happens?

My son also has a cleft lip that repaired in the womb, he has a very neat scar and his nostril dips slightly on that side. He also had a small dip in the gum and his baby tooth came through a long time after the others. There is no second tooth showing on recent xrays (now age 18) but he does have a small bony type lump in his nasal passage (has always been there) which I'm now wondering if that could be his missing tooth. My GP just passed this off as a miracle & no more was ever said about it.

I haven't been able to find any info online other than your post Highlandbird which sadly was written a few years ago. I hope you get to see this :) We have a pair of very lucky & unique boys, hope all went well with your new arrival.

Both of my kids had clefts, none at all in the generations before them. Happy to tell you more if you wish it.