The distribution of orofacial clefts at the medunsa oral health centre, cleft clinic

Abstract

Background and Objectives: The prevalence of orofacial clefts shows considerable international variation. African studies show a low prevalence of these congenital malformations and this could be due to poor record keeping and a lack of data capturing. The aim of this study was to create an electronic database and to perform an epidemiological survey of all orofacial clefts seen at the MOHC, Cleft Clinic from its inception in 2003 to December 2014. Materials and Methods: Records of 383 patients were obtained and data transferred into Microsoft Access. Gender, ethnicity, site of cleft lip, and palate, as well as a family history of cleft lip and palate were recorded. Data analysis was primarily of a descriptive nature and categorical data was summarized by frequency counts and percentage calculations. Results: Forty seven percent of patients presented with unilateral clefts, 23% presented with bilateral, and 30% presented with clefts of the palate. Clefts on the left side accounted for 56.4% and on the right side 43.58%, thus making clefts on the left side more common. Clefts affecting the lip and palate accounted for 45.8%, those affecting the lip 24.2% and those affecting only the palate 30%. The most common cleft was a bilateral complete cleft and it was found in 15.3% of females and 16.78% of males. Facial clefts were found in 2.4% of patients. A positive family history of orofacial clefts was found in 5.48% with cousins being the most affected. Black patients accounted for 94.52% of those affected. Females were more affected than males, and in both genders the most common cleft identified was that of a bilateral complete cleft. Conclusion: An electronic epidemiological database of orofacial clefts at the MOHC has been recorded.

Keywords

• cleft lip and palate
• epidemiology
• facial clefts