Can cleft lip and palate be detected non-invasively?

NIPT (non-invasive prenatal testing) generally cannot detect cleft lip and palate. NIPT primarily screens for fetal genetic conditions and is unable to identify cleft lip and palate. To determine whether a fetus has cleft lip or palate, an ultrasound examination is required. Congenital cleft lip and cleft palate refer to abnormalities present at birth, which may arise from congenital or acquired factors. To confirm whether a baby has cleft lip or palate, a four-dimensional color ultrasound can be performed between 22 and 26 weeks of gestation, as it provides a comprehensive assessment of fetal development.