According to Dr. Burstein, one out of every 800 children born among Asian-Americans will likely have a birth defect known as cleft lip/palate.
Nearly one in 33 babies, or about 120,000, is born each year in the United States with a birth defect, and birth defects are the leading cause of death in the first year of life. One of the most common of these, cleft lip/palate, affects about 6,800 babies each year. A cleft lip and palate occurs when there is an opening in the lip or roof of the mouth or in both.
Asian father with infant.Dr. Burstein said that among Caucasians or other children of European descent, the incidence is about one in 1,000, and among African-Americans it is one in 1,200. He said the number for Hispanics, are "pretty close to that of Caucasians, it's not too much different," adding that "American Indians also have a fairly high incidence." (READ MORE)
Written by Jorge E. Bañales
