Tag: Cleft palate

Studies in both animal and human populations have shown that excessive intake of preformed vitamin A can act as a potent teratogen, leading to congenital malformations including cleft palate. This article explores the established link between high vitamin A levels and the risk of developing a cleft palate in a developing fetus, detailing the specific risks, safe consumption guidelines, and the crucial distinction between preformed vitamin A and carotenoids.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 1 in every 1,600 babies in the U.S. is born with both a cleft lip and cleft palate. Research has identified that a maternal deficiency of certain vitamins, most notably folic acid, is one of several factors that can contribute to this condition.

Medical consensus strongly supports the role of periconceptional folic acid supplementation in preventing neural tube defects. Research also indicates that taking multivitamins containing folic acid before and during early pregnancy can significantly help prevent cleft lip.