KW Chan, KH Lee, KKY Pang, JW Mou, YH Tam

Abstract

Objective: With the advancement in antenatal screening technique, there is an increase in antenatal diagnosis of orofacial cleft. Updated information on the clinical characteristics and associated anomalies in children with orofacial cleft is essential in the antenatal counseling, subsequent postnatal management and to anticipate resource allocation. Methods: A retrospective review was conducted in a university teaching hospital in Hong Kong for all children with orofacial cleft who underwent primary surgery from 1 January 1996 to 30 June 2011. Results: 274 children (M:F 140:134) with orofacial cleft were included in this study. Fifty-five (20%) children had isolated cleft lip (CL), 91 (33%) children had cleft lip and palate (CLP). One hundred and twenty-three (45%) children had cleft palate (CP) only. Five (2%) children had macrostomia. Among all children with CL and CLP, boy was more commonly affected (66%). In unilateral CL and CLP cases, left side was 3 times more commonly involved. CP was more common for girls (62%). Twenty-eight children were syndromic or had multiple malformations. In this group of children, 26 had isolated CP (P<0.05). Pierre Robin syndrome was the commonest associate syndrome (n=14). Ten children had major congenital cardiac disease. Two children had structural brain anomalies. Conclusion: This study provides updated clinical characteristics in children with orofacial cleft in Hong Kong. The associated anomalies were rare in children with CL and CLP. Cardiac and brain anomalies were seen in children with orofacial cleft. Echocardiogram and USG brain is required in selected cases.