A study of the rate of occurrence of cleft lip and palates in different ethnicities
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Abstract
Cleft lip and/or palate (CLP) is one of the most common birth defects and affects many individuals worldwide. There is still much unknown about the underlying causes. It is known that genetics and the environment play a role. This paper outlines various genetic mutations and inheritance patterns. It then takes a deeper look into the known genetics of CLP. More specifically, looking at the differences in prevalence of CLP based on ethnicity. The highest rate of CLP is seen in Native American populations, while the lowest rate is seen in African Americans. There are many reasons behind why this is the case, including a difference in the genes involved and environmental factors. Some genes are found to be more prevalent in certain ethnicities and certain environmental factors affect some groups more than others.