Usually, a split (cleft) in the lip or palate is immediately identifiable at birth. Cleft lip and cleft palate may appear as:  A split in the lip and roof of the mouth (palate) that affects one or both sides of the face A split in the lip that appears as only a small notch in the lip or extends from the lip through the upper gum and palate into the bottom of the nose A split in the roof of the mouth that doesn't affect the appearance of the face  Less commonly, a cleft occurs only in the muscles of the soft palate (submucous cleft palate), which are at the back of the mouth and covered by the mouth's lining. This type of cleft often goes unnoticed at birth and may not be diagnosed until later when signs develop. Signs and symptoms of submucous cleft palate may include:  Difficulty with feedings Difficulty swallowing, with potential for liquids or foods to come out the nose Nasal speaking voice Chronic ear infections 
usually  split (cleft) lip palate identifiable birth  cleft lip cleft palate may as:  split lip roof mouth (palate) affects sides face split lip only small notch lip extends lip upper gum palate bottom nose split roof mouth doesn't affect appearance face  commonly  cleft occurs only muscles soft palate (submucous cleft palate)  back mouth covered mouth's lining  type cleft goes unnoticed birth may diagnosed later signs develop  signs symptoms submucous cleft palate may include:  difficulty feedings difficulty swallowing  potential liquids foods come nose nasal speaking voice chronic ear infections 
cleft palate