Malnutrition in cleft lip and palate children in Uganda

Growth trajectories in children with cleft lip and/or palate

Introduction

Introduction: the nutritional status and growth of children with cleft lip and/or palate (CL/P) can be affected due to feeding difficulties caused by their anatomy and the surgical interventions. Objective: this retrospective longitudinal study aims to analyse the growth trajectories of a cohort of children with CL/P and compare them with a healthy representative cohort of children from Aragon (Spain). Methods: type of cleft, surgical technique and sequelae, and weight, length/height and body mass index (BMI) (weight/height2) at different ages (0-6 years) were recorded. Normalized age- and sex-specific anthropometric Z-scores values were calculated by World Health Organization (WHO) charts. Results: forty-one patients (21 male, 20 female) were finally included: 9.75 % cleft lip (n = 4/41), 41.46 % cleft palate (n = 17/41) and 48.78 % cleft lip and palate (n = 20/41). The worst nutritional status Z-scores were achieved at the age of three months (44.44 % and 50 % had a weight and a BMI lower than -1 Z-score, respectively). Mean weight and BMI Z-scores were both significantly lower than controls at one, three and six months of age, recovering from that moment until the age of one year. Conclusions: the highest nutritional risk in CL/P patients takes place at 3-6 months of age, but nutritional status and growth trajectories get recovered from one year of age compared to their counterparts. Nevertheless, the rate of thin subjects among CL/P patients is higher during childhood.

The effect of short-term preoperative nutritional intervention for cleft surgery eligibility

BACKGROUND

Children with orofacial clefts are highly susceptible to malnutrition, with severe malnutrition restricting their eligibility to receive safe surgery. Ready-to-use therapeutic foods (RUTF) are an effective treatment for malnutrition; however, the effectiveness has not been demonstrated in this patient population prior to surgery. We studied the effectiveness of short-term RUTF use in transitioning children with malnutrition, who were initially ineligible for surgery, into surgical candidates.

METHODS

A cohort of patients from Ghana, Honduras, Malawi, Madagascar, Nicaragua, and Venezuela enrolled in a nutrition program were followed by Operation Smile from June 2017 to January 2020. Age, weight, and length/height were tracked at each visit. Patients were included until they were sufficiently nourished (Z >  = -1) with a secondary outcome of receiving surgery. The study was part of a collaborative program between Operation Smile (NGO), Birdsong Peanuts (peanut shellers and distributors), and MANA Nutrition (RUTF producer).

RESULTS

A total of 556 patients were recruited between June 2017 and January 2020. At baseline 28.2% (n = 157) of patients were diagnosed with severe, 21.0% (n = 117) moderate, and 50.7% (n = 282) mild malnutrition. 324 (58.3%) presented for at least one return visit. Of those, 207 (63.7%) reached optimal nutrition status. By visit two, the mean z-score increased from -2.5 (moderate) to -1.7 (mild) (p < 0·001). The mean time to attain optimal nutrition was 6 weeks. There was a significant difference in the proportion of patients who improved by country(p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Malnutrition prevents many children with orofacial clefts in low- and middle-income countries from receiving surgical care even when provided for free. This creates an even larger disparity in access to surgery. In an average of 6 weeks with an approximate cost of $25 USD per patient, RUTF transitioned over 60% of patients into nutritionally eligible surgical candidates, making it an effective, short-term preoperative nutritional intervention. Through unique partnerships, the expansion of cost-effective, large-scale nutrition programs can play a pivotal role in ensuring those at the highest risk of living with unrepaired orofacial clefts receive timely and safe surgical care.

Prevalence of malnutrition among children at primary cleft surgery: A cross-sectional analysis of a global database

Background

Orofacial clefts are common birth defects, affecting one newborn in every 700 live births globally. The condition requires prompt identification, feeding support, and timely surgery. While orofacial clefts benefit from a comprehensive, life-long care management in high-income countries, care provision is often lacking or inadequate in poor-resource settings. Data on the burden of orofacial clefts in children born in limited-resource settings remain scarce. The objective of this study was to estimate the prevalence of malnutrition in children using cleft surgery records collected by one large non-governmental cleft organization in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).

Methods

The data set included clinical records of children ≤5 years who underwent primary cleft surgery between 2008 and 2018 in health care facilities across LMICs. Patients’ data included birth date, sex, weight at surgery, ethnicity, country of origin, and date of primary surgery and were analysed using descriptive statistics. The prevalence of malnutrition was estimated using weight-for-age z scores and the distribution described in relation to cleft type, sex, ethnic groups, and geography. Comparisons with prevalence estimates for underweight in children under-5 within countries were conducted using publicly available survey data.

Results

The analysis included 602 568 children. The prevalence of underweight in children with cleft varies with the epidemiology of cleft and the timing of primary surgery, and between ethnic groups and settings. The overall prevalence of underweight at the time of primary cleft surgery was 28.6% – a figure well above the global underweight prevalence in children under-5 without cleft estimated at 13.5%. We found a positive correlation between the prevalence of underweight among children with cleft and the prevalence of underweight in the DHS program (r_s = 0.6305; P < 0.0001). Within-country comparisons showed that, with only few exceptions, the prevalence of underweight was higher in children with clefts than in their peers born without clefts (P < 0.05).

Conclusions

Although orofacial cleft is not considered to be a life-threatening condition, our findings show a high burden of malnutrition among patients accessing surgeries in LMICs. Interventions prompting early identification and appropriate feeding management of this group of vulnerable children is essential to leave no one behind in the fight against malnutrition.

Demographic Risk Factors for Malnutrition in Patients With Cleft Lip and Palate

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS

Patients with cleft lip and/or palate (CLP) are at increased risk of malnutrition. Acute and chronic malnutrition have been associated with elevated risk of postsurgical wound complications, adding morbidity and cost to patients and their families. To study the association between demographic factors, including insurance type, race, and median neighborhood income (MNI), and malnutrition in patients with CLP.

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study.

METHODS

Retrospective review was performed in patients undergoing their first cleft-related surgery at a large tertiary pediatric hospital from 2006 to 2018. Demographic data, weight and height at surgery, type of insurance, race, and primary residential address were collected. Geocoded information on MNI was generated using patient address. World Health Organization Z-scores for weight-for-age (WFA) and height-for-age (HFA) were used as proxies for acute and chronic malnutrition, respectively. Linear regression models were generated to analyze the relationship of insurance type, race, and MNI on WFA and HFA Z-scores.

RESULTS

About 313 patients met inclusion criteria. Increasing MNI predicted increasing WFA Z-score (0.05 increase in WFA per $1,000 increase, P = .047) as well as HFA Z-score (0.09 increase in HFA per $1,000 increase, P = .011). The effect of MNI was not independently modified by race for either WFA (P = .841) nor HFA (P = .404). Race and insurance type did not predict WFA or HFA.

CONCLUSIONS

Lower MNI is a significant independent risk factor for acute and chronic malnutrition in children with CLP. Combined with previous investigation linking malnutrition to surgical outcomes in this population, this offers a target area for intervention to improve patient outcomes.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

3 Laryngoscope, 2021.

[Factors associated with the delay in primary surgical treatment of cleft lip and palate in Brazil: a multilevel analysis]

This study analyzed the delay in the primary surgical treatment of patients with cleft lip and palate in Brazil performed under the Unified Health System (SUS), and the effect of the sociodemographic context and municipal socioeconomic indicators on access to this treatment (2009-2013). Data from the Decentralized Hospital Information System relating to all hospital authorization forms paid for primary cleft lip and/or palate surgeries and socioeconomic data (2010) was used. The ages recommended by the American Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association (12 months for lip surgeries and 18 months for palate surgeries) were used as parameters. The prevalence of delay observed in primary lip surgeries was 66.4% and in palate surgeries was 71.2%. The North and Northeast regions had the worst percentages of delay. Non-whites had a greater prevalence of delay in cleft lip surgeries with PR = 1.40 (1.30-1.50) and cleft palate surgeries with PR = 1.27 (1.21-1.33). The multilevel analysis identified the influence of self-reported skin color and Human Development Index (HDI) on the delay of primary lip surgery, and of HDI on the delay of palate surgery. The importance of social determination on the access to primary cleft lip and palate surgeries was evident.

"Mine did not breastfeed", mothers' experiences in breastfeeding children aged 0 to 24 months with oral clefts in Uganda

BACKGROUND

Appropriate breastfeeding is vital for infant and young child nutrition. Annually, oral clefts affect 0.73 per 1000 children in Uganda. Despite this low incidence, children with a cleft face breastfeeding difficulty which affect their nutrition status. In addition, knowledge on maternal experiences with breastfeeding and support is limited. We explored maternal perceptions, experiences with breastfeeding and support received for their children 0 to 24 months with a cleft attending Comprehensive Rehabilitative Services of Uganda (CoRSU) Hospital.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study combined quantitative and qualitative methods. We consecutively recruited 32 mothers of children with a cleft aged 0 to 24 months attending CoRSU hospital between April and May 2018. A structured questionnaire collected data on breastfeeding practices and device use (n = 32). To gain a broad understanding of mothers' perceptions and experiences with breastfeeding and support received, we conducted two Focus Group Discussions (in each, n = 5), and 15 In Depth Interviews. Descriptive statistics were analyzed using SPSS software. Qualitative data were analyzed thematically.

RESULTS

Of the 32 children with a cleft, 23(72%) had ever breastfed, 14(44%) were currently breastfeeding, and among those under 6 months, 7(35%) exclusively breastfed. Of 25 mothers interviewed in IDIs and FGDs, 17(68%; IDIs = 8/15, FGD1 = 5/5 and FGD2 = 4/5) reported the child's failure to latch and suckle as barriers to breastfeeding. All ten mothers who used the soft squeezable bottle reported improved feeding. Nineteen (76%) mothers experienced anxiety and 14(56%), social stigma. Family members, communities and hospitals supported mothers with feeding guidance, money, child's feeds and psycho-social counselling. Appropriate feeding and psycho-social support were only available at a specialized hospital which delayed access.

CONCLUSIONS

Breastfeeding practices were sub-optimal. Mothers experienced breastfeeding difficulties, anxiety and social stigma. Although delayed, feeding, social and psycho-social support helped mothers cope. Routine health care for mothers and their children with a cleft should include timely support.

Long-term growth patterns in children born with cleft lip and/or palate. A systematic review

Introduction

Introduction: in children with cleft lip and/or palate nutritional status and growth may be impaired due to early life feeding difficulties. Objective: to review the existing literature on the nutritional prognosis during childhood of patients undergoing surgery for cleft lip and/or palate (CLP), their body composition and growth patterns from 2 to 10 years of age, and the possible effects of their early nutritional status on the long-term onset of overweight. Methods: a systematic search of growth and body composition parameters in 2-10 year-old CLP children, including cross-sectional and longitudinal studies, and using the Pubmed and Scopus databases. From the 2,983 retrieved articles, 6 were finally included. Results: two studies out of 6 were longitudinal and the other 4 were cross-sectional, including very heterogeneous samples. Weight and height were used as growth parameters in 2 studies; 2 studies used body mass index (BMI); and the remaining 2 used indexes of nutritional status derived from anthropometric measures. The studies showed discrepancies among results: 3 of them found growth differences between children with CLP and their counterparts, whereas the other 3 did not. The two longitudinal studies did not show any significant differences between the mean BMI z-scores or growth curves of cleft patients and their counterparts. When differences existed, the most affected group was that under 5 years, syndromic children, and adopted children with CL/P. Conclusions: the literature is scarce comparing growth patterns between children with CLP and controls, and results cannot confirm that children with CLP aged 2-10 years, excluding those with syndromes or belonging to vulnerable populations, have different growth patterns or a worse nutritional status than their counterparts.

Malnutrition as a Risk Factor in Cleft Lip and Palate Surgery

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS

To assess the prevalence of acute and chronic malnutrition at the time of surgery in patients with cleft lip and/or palate (CLP) at our institution, and to quantify nutrition as a risk factor for postsurgical complications following CLP surgery.

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study.

METHODS

Retrospective review of 855 children undergoing initial cleft lip or palate surgery, or revision surgery after fistula/dehiscence of initial cleft repair. We measured acute and chronic malnutrition using World Health Organization Z-scores of weight-for-age and height-for-age, respectively, and noted any postsurgical fistula or dehiscence.

RESULTS

Among patients with cleft lip, 22.3% were at least moderately chronically malnourished at the time of initial repair, and 17.5% were at least moderately acutely malnourished. Among patients undergoing initial repair of cleft palate, 20.9% were at least moderately chronically malnourished, and 8.1% were at least moderately acutely malnourished. Increasing nutritional status, as measured by height-for-age, predicts decreased odds of fistula (OR 0.78, P = .01) after cleft palate surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

Chronic malnutrition significantly increases the risk of fistula formation in patient with cleft palate. Preoperative strategies to manage this risk and influence surgical timing can avoid morbid and costly postoperative complications.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

4 Laryngoscope, 131:E2060-E2065, 2021.

Assessing health-related quality of life in patients with cleft palate in resource-limited countries: A preliminary evaluation of the VELO questionnaire in Uganda

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Studies evaluating health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in patients with cleft palate living in resource-limited countries such as Uganda are scarce. The VELO questionnaire evaluates the impact of speech (and swallowing) difficulties on the patient's HRQoL. The aim was to evaluate an adapted English version of the VELO questionnaire with reduced response options in Ugandan patients with a cleft lip and palate in order to identify influencing factors and future perspectives to implement HRQoL assessement in this population.

METHODS

Based on the responses of 16 parents of patients with cleft palate, 6 adolescent/adult patients with cleft palate and 12 control participants without cleft palate, observations regarding linguistic and cultural difficulties were noted and the discriminant validity and internal consistency of this adapted version of the questionnaire were evaluated. Additionally, the relationship between these responses and perceptually assessed speech parameters was assessed.

RESULTS

Half of the participants (11/22) completed the questionnaire independently, frequently resulting in incomplete responses (8/11). Difficulties with wording and cultural aspects influencing the responses were identified. The subscales showed excellent internal consistency, with the exception of the subscale 'swallowing problems'. The score on the subscale 'perception by others' of the parent report showed no significant difference with the score of the control group. The total score on the parent report and the youth report was (borderline) significantly related to the speech variables speech understandability, speech acceptability and the VPC-SUM.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

Promising results regarding the validity and internal consistency of the adapted instrument were found, indicating the potential of the VELO questionnaire for HRQoL assessment at the CoRSU hospital in Uganda. However, results should be interpreted cautiously, given that all participants had a primary language other than English, the small sample size with skewed distribution of speech characteristics, and the bias induced by socially desirable responses. In future studies, adaptations based on qualitative research to account for linguistic and cultural aspects, followed by a rigorous forward-backward translation of the questionnaire to English and Luganda are needed.

Delayed access to care and unmet burden of pediatric surgical disease in resource-constrained African countries

BACKGROUND

The purpose of this study was to estimate the unmet burden of surgically correctable congenital anomalies in African low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).

METHODS

We conducted a chart review of children operated for cryptorchidism, isolated cleft lip, hypospadias, bladder exstrophy and anorectal malformation at an Ethiopian referral hospital between January 2012 and July 2016 and a scoping review of the literature describing the management of congenital anomalies in African LMICs. Procedure numbers and age at surgery were collected to estimate mean surgical delays by country and extrapolate surgical backlog. The unmet surgical need was derived from incidence-based disease estimates, established disability weights, and actual surgical volumes.

RESULTS

The chart review yielded 210 procedures in 207 patients from Ethiopia. The scoping review generated 42 data sets, extracted from 36 publications, encompassing: Benin, Egypt, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Nigeria, Madagascar, Malawi, Togo, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. The largest national surgical backlog was noted in Nigeria for cryptorchidism (209,260 cases) and cleft lip (4154 cases), and Ethiopia for hypospadias (20,188 cases), bladder exstrophy (575 cases) and anorectal malformation (1349 cases).

CONCLUSION

These data support the need for upscaling pediatric surgical capacity in LMICs to address the significant surgical delay, surgical backlog, and unmet prevalent need.

TYPE OF STUDY

Retrospective study and review article LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III.

Challenges to achieving low palatal fistula rates following primary cleft palate repair: experience of an institution in Uganda

Objective

To determine frequency of palatal fistula following primary cleft palate repair and the associated factors as a measure of cleft palate repair outcome and its challenges at a cleft centre in Uganda.

Results

Between May and December 2016, 54 children with cleft palate were followed up at Comprehensive Rehabilitation services of Uganda (CoRSU) hospital, from time of primary cleft palate repair until at least 3 months postoperative to determine whether they developed palatal fistula or not. Frequency of palatal fistula was 35%. Factors associated with increased fistula formation were cleft width wider than 12 mm (p = 0.006), palatal index greater than 0.4 (p = 0.046), presence of malnutrition at initial outpatient assessment (p = 0.0057) and at time of surgery (p = 0.008), two-stage palate repair (p = 0.005) and postoperative infection (p = 0.003). Severe clefting (palatal index greater than 0.4) was seen in 74% of patients and malnutrition (Low weight for age) seen in 48% of patients. Palatal fistula rates at our institution were high compared to reports in literature. The high proportions of severe clefting and malnutrition observed in our population that was also poor and unable to afford feeding supplements increased likelihood of fistula formation and posed challenges to achieving low fistula rates in our setting.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s13104-018-3459-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

The prevalence and factors associated with malnutrition among infants with cleft palate and/or lip at a hospital in Uganda: a cross-sectional study

Background

To determine the prevalence and factors associated with malnutrition among infants with Cleft palate and/or cleft lip (CP+/-L) at Comprehensive Rehabilitation for Uganda Hospital (CoRSU) in Uganda.

Methods

This was a cross-sectional study done on infants with CP+/-L and their caretakers admitted between November 2013 and October 2014 at CoRSU hospital which was the study setting. A questionnaire was answered by the infants’ caretakers. The main outcome measure, malnutrition was defined and classified based on Z-scores obtained using the W.H.O Z-calculator in which weights of the infants in kilograms and lengths in centimeters respectively were placed. The values obtained were expressed as a proportion using all enrolled infants with CP+/-L as denominator. Multivariable analysis was used to determine the risk factors.

Results

A total of 44 infants with CP+/-L were enrolled. Of these, 77% were below 4 months of age and 97.7% were immunized. The male-to-female ratio was 1.06:1. About 59% had unilateral CP+/-L. A total of 93.2% were delivered at term with 69.4% having a birth weight greater than 3 kg. Generally, 68% were malnourished, with the highest burden among females (71.4%), infants below 4 months (73.5%) and those with unilateral CP+/-L (77%). About 57% had moderate-to-severe malnutrition. There was delayed supplementation to breast milk, with cow-milk as the main supplemental feed for all the infants. In the multivariable analysis, factors associated with malnutrition included, having caretakers lacking nutritional information post-delivery (OR = 3.8, p = 0.17), low birth weight (OR = 3.4, p = 0.20), and having less than 10 feeds/day (OR = 4.9, p = 0.09).

Conclusion

CP+/-L infants born in Uganda suffer a high-burden of malnutrition. Preventional strategies are needed with focus on proper feeding information. Research on cost-effective feeds, feeding methods and reasons behind gender disparities in these infants is also required.

The impact of palatal repair before and after 6 months of age on speech characteristics

OBJECTIVE

Optimal timing of palatal repair is still subject of discussion. Although literature provides some evidence that palatal closure prior to 6 months positively influence speech outcome in children with clefts, only few studies verified this hypothesis. The purpose of this study was to describe and compare articulation and resonance characteristics following early (≤6 months) and later (>6 months) palatal repair, performed using the Sommerlad technique.

METHODS

Comparison was made between 12 Ugandan children with isolated cleft (lip and) palate following early palatal repair (mean age: 3.3 m) and 12 Belgian patients with later palatal repair (mean age: 11.1 m), matched for cleft type, age and gender. A Ugandan and Belgian age- and gender-matched control group without clefts was included to control for language, culture and other environmental factors. Articulation assessments consisted of consonant inventories and phonetic and phonological analyses that were based on consensus transcriptions. In addition, resonance was evaluated by perceptual consensus ratings and objective mean nasalance values.

RESULTS

The Belgian and Ugandan control groups were comparable for the majority of the variables. Comparison of cleft palate groups revealed no clinically relevant significant group differences for consonant inventory or phonological processes. Phonetic analysis showed significantly more distortions in the Belgian cleft palate group due to higher occurrence frequencies for (inter)dental productions of apico-alveolar consonants. Neither perceptual consensus ratings of hypernasality, hyponasality, cul-de-sac resonance and nasal emission/turbulence, nor objective mean nasalance values for oral speech samples revealed significant group differences (p>0.05).

CONCLUSION

Articulation and resonance characteristics of young children following palatal repair before and after 6 months of age seem to be at least comparable.

Global variation in cleft palate repairs: an analysis of 352,191 primary cleft repairs in low- to higher-middle-income countries

Objectives : Resources for repair of cleft lip and palate may be lacking in low- and middle-income countries. The Smile Train is a registered charity that supports cleft repair in resource-poor settings. In the global health care challenge, it has been suggested that many babies born with cleft palates are not repaired. This study aims to determine whether any variation exists in the proportion of cleft lip and cleft palate repairs undertaken in low- and middle-income countries. Methods : Data were obtained from the Smile Train database of 352,191 consecutive cleft operations performed between 2008 and 2011 in low- to higher-middle-income countries. The ratio of cleft lip to palate repair was analyzed as a function of geographic region and by country income (gross national income). Results : A significant correlation exists between both the income of a country and its geographical region to the ratio of lip and palate repair procedures undertaken. Higher-income countries had a higher ratio of cleft palate repairs. Countries in sub-Saharan Africa have the lowest proportion of cleft palate repairs. Conclusion : This study emphasizes that many babies born with cleft palates in resource-poor regions do not have their palates repaired. This finding may be explained by an increased neonatal mortality in cleft palate babies. Furthermore, fewer isolated palatal clefts may present to an appropriate health care facility or there may be a reluctance to treat cleft palate due to concerns regarding higher perioperative risks or the lack of available surgical and anesthetic expertise.

Parental satisfaction in Ugandan children with cleft lip and palate following synchronous lip and palatal repair

The purpose of the present case control study was to assess parental satisfaction with speech and facial appearance in Ugandan children with complete unilateral or bilateral cleft lip and palate (CLP), who underwent a synchronous lip and palatal closure. The results are compared with an age- and gender-matched control group. The experimental group consisted of the parents or guardians of 44 Ugandan patients (21 males, 23 females) with complete unilateral or bilateral CLP (mean age: 3;1 years). The control group included the foster mothers of 44 orphan children matched by age and gender (mean age: 3;7 years). A survey based on the Cleft Evaluation Profile was used to assess the perceived satisfaction for individual features related to cleft care. Overall high levels of satisfaction were observed in the experimental group for all features (range: 56-100%). No significant differences could be established regarding age, gender, age of lip and palatal closure, cleft type or maternal vs. paternal judgments. In participants who were dissatisfied with the appearance of the lip, the time period between the cleft closure and the survey was significantly larger compared with satisfied participants. Furthermore, significantly lower levels of satisfaction were observed in the cleft group for speech and the appearance of the teeth and the nose compared with the control group. Satisfaction with speech and facial appearance in Ugandan children with cleft lip and/or palate is important since normal esthetics and speech predominantly determine the children's social acceptance in the Ugandan society.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

As a result of reading this manuscript, the reader will be able to explain the attitudes of parents toward the surgical repair of their children's cleft lip and palate. As a result of reading this manuscript, the reader will be able to identify differences in parental attitudes toward synchronous lip and palate repair.

Speech characteristics in a Ugandan child with a rare paramedian craniofacial cleft: a case report

The purpose of this study is to describe the speech characteristics in an English-speaking Ugandan boy of 4.5 years who has a rare paramedian craniofacial cleft (unilateral lip, alveolar, palatal, nasal and maxillary cleft, and associated hypertelorism). Closure of the lip together with the closure of the hard and soft palate (one-stage palatal closure) was performed at the age of 5 months. Objective as well as subjective speech assessment techniques were used. The speech samples were perceptually judged for articulation, intelligibility and nasality. The Nasometer was used for the objective measurement of the nasalance values. The most striking communication problems in this child with the rare craniofacial cleft are an incomplete phonetic inventory, a severely impaired speech intelligibility with the presence of very severe hypernasality, mild nasal emission, phonetic disorders (omission of several consonants, decreased intraoral pressure in explosives, insufficient frication of fricatives and the use of a middorsum palatal stop) and phonological disorders (deletion of initial and final consonants and consonant clusters). The increased objective nasalance values are in agreement with the presence of the audible nasality disorders. The results revealed that several phonetic and phonological articulation disorders together with a decreased speech intelligibility and resonance disorders are present in the child with a rare craniofacial cleft. To what extent a secondary surgery for velopharyngeal insufficiency, combined with speech therapy, will improve speech intelligibility, articulation and resonance characteristics is a subject for further research. The results of such analyses may ultimately serve as a starting point for specific surgical and logopedic treatment that addresses the specific needs of children with rare facial clefts.