Will a husband's cleft lip and palate be inherited by the child?

In general, if the husband has cleft lip and palate, there is a genetic risk for the child, but it does not necessarily mean the condition will be inherited. The specific analysis is as follows:

Cleft lip and palate have a certain genetic predisposition. If there is a family history of cleft lip and palate, the offspring's risk of developing the condition is higher than that of the general population. Studies show that if one parent has cleft lip and palate, the child's risk of being affected is approximately 2–3 times higher than that of the general population. However, genetic factors are not the only cause. During fetal development in the womb, environmental factors—such as maternal viral infections during pregnancy, exposure to harmful substances, folic acid deficiency, smoking, alcohol consumption, or taking certain medications—may also lead to abnormal facial development and result in cleft lip and palate.

In most cases, cleft lip and palate result from a combination of genetic susceptibility and adverse environmental factors; occurrence due to genetic factors alone is relatively rare. Therefore, it is incorrect to assume that a child will definitely inherit the condition solely because the father has cleft lip and palate. Multiple factors must be considered comprehensively.

If concerned about the genetic risk, couples are advised to seek genetic counseling at a hospital before conception to understand the specific probability of risk. Pregnant women should ensure adequate folic acid intake, avoid exposure to harmful substances, and attend regular prenatal checkups. These measures can help reduce the risk of cleft lip and palate in the fetus and support healthy fetal development.