MEND syndrome is a rare, genetic, syndromic, sterol biosynthesis disorder affecting males characterized by skin manifestations, including collodion membrane, ichthyosis, and patchy hypopigmentary lesions, associated with severe neurological involvement (e.g. intellectual disability, delayed psychomotor development, seizures, hydrocephalus, cerebellar/corpus callosum hypoplasia, Dandy-Walker malformation, hypotonia) and craniofacial dysmorphism (large anterior fontanelle, telecanthus, hypertelorism, microphthalmia, prominent nasal bridge, low-set ears, micrognathia, cleft palate). 2,3 toe syndactyly, polydactyly, and kyphosis, as well as ophthalmic, cardiac and urogenital anomalies may also be associated.

Cleft palate is a developmental defect of the palate resulting from a failure of fusion of the palatine processes and manifesting as a separation of the roof of the mouth (soft and hard palate).