What families usually notice
• Cleft lip and/or cleft palate: may affect feeding in infancy, ear health, and speech; care follows a standard cleft pathway.
• Webbing of fingers/toes (syndactyly): most often between the 2nd–3rd toes; fingers can be partly joined in combinations among 2–3–4. Some people may have no webbing.
• Hair changes: scalp hair can be sparse, short, and brittle; eyebrows and eyelashes may be thin or patchy. Hair loss can slowly progress with age.
• Teeth: late tooth eruption; teeth may be small, or missing. Some adults may have no teeth; weaker enamel can mean more cavities and early tooth loss.
• Skin of hands/feet: dry, thick, and tough skin on the palms and soles that can worsen with age (may crack and be sore).
• Nails: usually normal; sometimes small or thin in some families.
• Sweating: usually normal.
• Learning and development: usually normal, but mild delay has been reported in some families.
• Life expectancy: appears normal based on current reports.
Day-to-day impact
• Cleft lip/palate: may need feeding support in infancy, ear/hearing checks, speech therapy, and planned surgeries.
• Dental health: early, regular dental care (cleanings, sealants, orthodontics, dentures/implants when older) helps with chewing, speech, and appearance.
• Hand webbing may need surgical review if it limits function; toe webbing is often a shoe/comfort issue.
• Hair loss and dental differences can affect self-esteem; supportive options (wigs, dental care) help.
• Thick skin on hands/feet benefits from moisturizers, special creams, and good footwear.
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