Submucous cleft palate.

Over 10,000 school children were screened for palatal abnormalities. Nine submucous clefts of the palate were detected, an incidence of 1 : 1,200. Speech defects, ear problems and hearing loss were found as complications in 55% of 50 submucous cleft palate patients studied in detail. Complications were less common (45%) if the palatal abnormality was an isolated defect. Proper management of submucous cleft palate depends upon knowledge of its incidence and natural history.