Clinical and Demographical Characteristics of Cleft Lip and/or Palate in the Northwest of Iran: An Analysis of 1500 Patients

Abstract

Objective: Orofacial clefts (OFCs) can occur as an isolated defect or as a manifestation of other syndromes. The current study aimed to evaluate demographic characteristics and distribution of different types of accompanying anomalies for OFCs in the northwest of Iran. Design: A retrospective cohort study. Setting: Tertiary pediatric hospital. Patients and Participants: This study was conducted on 1500 cleft lip and/or palate patients born between July 2010 and June 2020 in the northwest of Iran. Main Outcome Measures: Demographic and clinical characteristics of the children with OFCs including familial history, accompanying anomalies and syndromes, maternal passive smoking, mothers’ and fathers’ age, consanguineous marriage, and birth order. Results: Among 1500 patients, 441 had cleft lip, 615 had cleft palate, and 444 had cleft lip and palate. The positive family history of OFCs was found to be 20.9% to 25.4% depending on the cleft type. Accompanying anomalies were identified in 29.8% of cases. Cardiac, facial, and ear abnormalities were the most common types. Also, 2.9% were identified with syndromes and sequences. These included Pierre Robin Sequence, Velo-cardio-facial syndrome, and Down syndrome most frequently. Conclusion: These findings may provide references for appropriate resources to establish and direct counseling and primary preventive projects in the northwest of Iran.