Characterization of the Pediatric Population with Cleft Lip or Palate in a Regional Hospital during the Year 2022

Abstract

Introduction: Cleft lip (CL), cleft palate (CP), or their combined presentation as cleft lip and palate (CLP) are the most common craniofacial malformations. Their etiology is multifactorial.

Objective: To characterize the pediatric population with cleft lip or palate.

Methodology: A descriptive, retrospective, cross-sectional observational study conducted from January 2022 to December 2022 in a regional hospital.

Results: The majority of cases were non-syndromic, with three diagnoses of genetic alterations (NOTCH1, microdeletion on Xq26.32, and 4q32.3-q34.3), and two fatalities due to syndromic causes. The majority of our population was female. The diagnosis was postnatal (95%). The most common type of cleft was unilateral CLP. CLP was more prevalent in males, while CL and CP were more common in females. The left side was more affected. Factors identified included participation in a subsidized healthcare program, rural residence, alcohol consumption (2%), exposure to pesticides (12%), and positive family history of orofacial clefts (13%). The average age for the initiation of surgical correction was 18 months, with palatoplasty being the primary initial surgical procedure (19%), averaging two surgical interventions. 33% of the patients experienced complications.

Conclusions: The most frequent cleft type was unilateral CLP. CLP was more common in males, whereas CL and CP were more prevalent in females, in contrast to the literature. Sociodemographic, maternal, perinatal, and environmental factors played a relatively smaller role, making it challenging to establish a causal relationship. It is recommended to assess prenatal care in the region and optimize the age for the initiation of surgical correction.