In the early stages of a fetus's development, the right and left sides of the upper lip normally grow together. However, in about 1 of every 800 babies, a child is born with a separation in the upper lip, otherwise known as a cleft lip.

In the early weeks of a fetus's development, the right and left sides of the roof of the mouth normally grow together. Occasionally, however, in about 1 of every 800 babies, those sections don't quite meet.

Pediatric plastic surgery involves the correction of a variety of pediatric deformities. These can include rather complex conditions such as a cleft lip or a cleft palate, or more common conditions including skin lesions, ear deformities, and scar revisions.