Sternal cleft occurs when there is an obstacle in the process of mutual healing of the sternal cords during the embryonic period. What should be done to prevent sternal fracture? The risk of congenital mental retardation and other malformations is greatly increased if you are too old. You should not drink alcohol, smoke, get fatigued, or use drugs before pregnancy, and you should avoid colds, direct sunlight, high temperatures, and stay away from chemically harmful substances during pregnancy. Therapeutic abortion of abnormal fetuses is performed to prevent the birth of defective children, thus ensuring the health of future generations. Prenatal diagnosis is only 20 years old, but it is developing rapidly. Methods include X-ray, fetoscopy, ultrasound, biochemical and enzyme tests, chromosomal diagnosis, etc. The most commonly used are ultrasound and chromosomal tests. Children often have paradoxical breathing, cyanosis, dyspnea and recurrent respiratory infections. The incidence is higher in females (female to male ratio of about 8:1). Most cases are sporadic, and autosomal recessive families have been reported. Substernal sternal clefts are often associated with severe developmental defects, particularly cardiac ectopia and Cantrell’s pentad. There may be a left ventricular diverticulum with a thoracoabdominal wall defect. Complete sternal agenesis is the least common and is often associated with severe malformations. The child often has paradoxical breathing, cyanosis, dyspnea, and recurrent respiratory infections. In Cantrell syndrome, a central line defect of the upper abdominal wall, a pericardial defect adjacent to the diaphragm, and various types of cardiac malformations may be seen.