It should be possible. For more obvious cleft lip and palate cases, the diagnostic rate is relatively high. However, for small, simple cleft lip and palate cases, or simple cleft palate, the diagnostic rate is not very high. Ultrasound mainly observes the persistence of the upper lip of the fetus. If a persistent interruption is found, it should be highly suspected. When there is a cleft palate, the upper jaw part may also be observed to be missing. Because two-dimensional B-ultrasound is not a three-dimensional image, but a cross-sectional image, it is very related to the skill of the ultrasound doctor and the position of the fetus. During anomaly scan B-ultrasound, the ultrasound doctor will definitely observe the fetus’s lips, but cannot ensure a 100% diagnostic rate.

When examining the fetus at a smaller gestational age with two-dimensional ultrasound, it is not possible to rule out cleft lip. Generally, cleft lip can be seen at around 6-7 months. At 5 weeks of the fetus, the blastocyst appears as a bulge, which gradually combines to form the facial part. At this time, if there is a viral infection, it can cause facial malformations in the fetus, which are more common in cleft lip and palate. Most cases of cleft lip and palate are associated with cleft palate. In this situation, screening should be conducted at 6-7 months, and if cleft lip is detected, DNA testing is necessary. Cleft lip can be seen as early as 12-16 weeks, but it cannot be diagnosed. It is usually easier to diagnose at around 6-7 months.

Many color Doppler ultrasound examinations during pregnancy choose B-ultrasound, which has its limitations. Cleft lip, also known as cleft lip and palate, can be seen with B-ultrasound, but it is not as clear. The four-dimensional ultrasound examination conducted between 23-28 weeks is mainly to observe the external malformations of the fetus, including cleft lip. If there is a potential cleft lip or cleft palate that has not yet appeared with a persistent interruption of the upper lip, ultrasound cannot detect it. During pregnancy, it is important to perform a comprehensive anomaly scan for the fetus to reduce the birth rate of malformed infants and alleviate the pressure on the family and society.

Cleft lip, known in medical terms as cleft lip and palate, can generally be detected through four-dimensional ultrasound examination. Simple cases are not usually visible on B-ultrasound. The four-dimensional ultrasound examination is usually conducted between 24-28 weeks of pregnancy, and it is necessary to make an appointment at the hospital’s outpatient department in advance. After making an appointment, you need to go to the hospital’s outpatient department within the required time to undergo the four-dimensional ultrasound examination, which can confirm whether there is a cleft lip or palate. At this time, the examination is also called a comprehensive anomaly scan, which is a very critical examination during pregnancy. This examination can determine whether the fetus has developmental abnormalities, such as congenital heart disease, spina bifida, anencephaly, cleft lip and palate, and limb malformations, abdominal wall defects, and diaphragmatic hernia, all of which can be diagnosed by four-dimensional ultrasound. Therefore, if there is concern about a cleft lip and palate, B-ultrasound alone is not sufficient, and it can only be distinguished during the four-dimensional ultrasound examination.