Quote:
Originally posted by honeychile
AKA_Monet, I thought that cleft palate came from certain drugs (ie: valium) being used early in a pregnancy. Is that just another way?
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I hadn't heard of valium myself... But that does not mean it is not true. Many drugs cause birth defects, in fact. Mainly, smoking and illegal drug use, such as heroin and cocaine. Why crack doesn't do many birth deformities, I dunno--maybe, but I haven't heard of any... Cleft palate may occur with a vitamin deficiency. Many 2nd and 3rd world countries suffer from cleft palate children. There is also poor water quality--unsuitable for human consumption--so that may be another thing especially with high mercury, lead and other contaminants... But I think I read a Nature or Science article on the gene family that is mutated for the development of cleft palate. So there many genes affected by environmental toxins...