Deelder JD, Breugem CC, de Vries IAC, de Bruin M, Mink van der Molen AB, van der Horst CMAM. Is an isolated cleft lip an isolated anomaly?
J Plast Reconstr Aesthet Surg 2010;
64:754-8. [PMID:
21146482 DOI:
10.1016/j.bjps.2010.10.018]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2010] [Revised: 09/23/2010] [Accepted: 10/27/2010] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION
It is well known that patients with cleft lip/palate or cleft palate can have associated anomalies. However, there is a relative paucity of information about the possible anomalies associated with an isolated cleft lip. A recent study (Vallino et al., 2008) showed that children with cleft lip and/or alveolus often develop cleft palate-related issues. This inspired us to investigate our population.
METHODS
A questionnaire was sent to the parents of 214 children with cleft lip and/or alveolus; 161 questionnaires were returned (response rate (RR): 75%) and included in our study. The study consisted of 91 boys and 70 girls (0.3-13.1 years: mean 6.8 ± 3.5 years).
RESULTS
Speech and/or language problems were reported in 34% and ventilation tube insertion in 21% of children with ≥6 years' follow-up. Of the children in that group, 33% reported to have undergone an episode of acute otitis media and 11% reported five episodes or more. Additional congenital anomalies were found in 4% of children with a cleft lip and in 16% of children with a cleft lip/alveolus.
CONCLUSION
Our results demonstrate that an isolated cleft lip can often be described as an isolated anomaly, although children with cleft lip and/or alveolus develop cleft palate-related issues more often than anticipated. Therefore, we suggest an intensive monitoring and treatment of children with these types of clefts.
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