IRF6 and van der Woude syndrome: Although the function of the IRF6 gene on the cleft lip formation is unclear, evidence has supported an effect of this gene on other birth malformations including Van der Woude syndrome and popliteal pterygium syndrome (Kondo et al., 2002; Kayano et al., 2003; Shotelersuk et al., 2003; Gatta et al., 2004; Ghassibé et al., 2004; Item et al., 2004).