King Tut's mummified head.

Scottsdale – New  findings, from the most extensive study ever carried out on Egypt’s King Tutankhamun, show he suffered from a cleft palate and that he died from complications of a broken leg exacerbated by malaria. The findings were from two years of DNA testing and CT scans on 16 mummies, including those of Tutankhamun and his family (Source: Fox News).

The team that carried out the study established the clearest yet family tree for Tut. The researchers said Tut’s father was most likely Akhenaten, the pharaoh who tried to revolutionize ancient Egyptian religion to worship one god. Tut, who became pharaoh at the age of 10 in 1333 B.C., ruled for just nine years at a pivotal time in Egypt’s history. In 1922, the discovery of his tomb filled with stunning artifacts, including the famed golden funeral mask, made him known the world over.

Cleft lip and palate are birth defects that affect the upper lip and the roof of the mouth. There are many causes of cleft lip and palate.  A cleft lip and palate can affect the appearance of the face, and may lead to problems with feeding, speech, and ear infections. Signs may range from a small notch in the lip to a complete groove that runs into the roof of the mouth and nose.

Cleft genes are passed down from one or both parents. Drugs, viruses, and other toxins can cause such birth defects. Cleft lip and palate may occur along with other syndromes or birth defects. These features may occur separately or together. Risk factors include a family history of cleft lip or palate and other birth defects. The chances of having cleft lip or palate are about 1 out of 2,500.

Today, cleft lip and palate can be repaired using plastic surgery techniques. For those who are interested in King Tut’s study, the full article will be published in the Journal of the American Medical Association.