Evaluation of the Variety and Incidence of Cardiac Anomalies Associated with Cleft Lip and Palate: A Retrospective Evaluation of 1134 Patients

Abstract

Objective: To perform a retrospective analysis of patients with cleft lip and palate admitted to the Hacettepe University Department of Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery in the years 2013–2016, and to determine the overall prevalence and variety of associated congenital cardiac anomalies. Materials and Methods: Demographic variables of 1134 cleft patients admitted between July 1, 2013 and April 15, 2016 were retrospectively evaluated. Gender, cleft type, associated syndromes, type of associated congenital cardiac anomaly were recorded. Results: Of the 1134 patients, 178 (15.6%) had cardiac anomalies, of which 102 patients (57.3%) were male and 76 (42.7%) were female. Congenital cardiac anomalies were mostly associated with concomitant presentation of cleft lip and palate at a rate of 56.1% (100/178 patients). Among the patients with various cleft types, 28.9% with isolated cleft palate had the highest rate of syndromic association, and 74 (41.6%) had multiple cardiac anomalies. The most common cardiac anomaly was atrial septal defect, seen in 47.8% of the patients. Conclusion: As cleft lip and palate are one of the most common congenital anomalies worldwide, associated cardiac anomalies are healthcare problems that require attention.

Keywords

• Cleft lip and palate
• congenital cardiac anomalies