Quintuplets with Clefts: Follow-Up at Ten Years of Age

Abstract

A set of quintuplets, three of which were born with various degrees of oral clefting, were followed up to the age of 10 years. Study models, as well as panoramic and intraoral roentgenograms were collected at ages 5 and 10 years. Cephalometrlc roentgenograms were added at the age of 10 years. Analysis of the growth charts for height and weight indicated normal somatic development, save for a persistent, albeit diminishing, lag for the two most severely affected siblings. The latter also demonstrated a more vertical craniofacial growth pattern. The dental arch dimensions were within normal range, except for the maxillary and mandibular widths in the two more affected siblings, who also exhibited a delay of one or two stages of dental development in an interslbling comparison. These findings indicate that in the more severely affected siblings, there was only partial growth catch-up at the age of 10 years.