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Early craniofacial morphology and growth in children with unoperated isolated cleft palate
N V Hermann1, S Kreiborg, T A Darvann
1Department of Pediatric Dentistry, School of Dentistry, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark. nh@lab3d.odont.ku.dk
Insights
Children with isolated cleft palate (ICP) exhibit distinct craniofacial differences compared to those with unilateral incomplete cleft lip (UICL). These variations in facial morphology and growth patterns are linked to the primary cleft anomaly.
Area of Science:
- Craniofacial morphology
- Pediatric growth studies
- Cleft lip and palate research
Background:
- Untreated isolated cleft palate (ICP) affects secondary palate development.
- Unilateral incomplete cleft lip (UICL) presents a different primary anomaly.
- Understanding craniofacial development in clefting conditions is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze craniofacial morphology and growth in children with ICP.
- To compare ICP morphology and growth with a control group of UICL children.
- To assess changes at 2 and 22 months of age.
Main Methods:
- Study included 98 Danish children (53 ICP, 45 UICL) born 1976-1981.
- Craniofacial morphology and growth analyzed via infant cephalometry.
- Three-projection analysis used for detailed assessment.
Main Results:
- ICP group showed significant differences from UICL group.
- Key ICP findings: short maxilla, reduced posterior maxillary height, increased width, short mandible, reduced mandibular height, bimaxillary retrognathia.
- ICP group had reduced pharyngeal depth, height, and area.
- Facial growth was similar, but ICP group showed a more vertical growth direction.
Conclusions:
- Facial morphology in ICP children significantly differs from UICL children.
- Morphological differences are attributed to the primary anomaly in ICP.
- Facial growth patterns were similar, with a trend towards more vertical growth in ICP.
Objective:
Analysis of craniofacial morphology and growth in children with untreated isolated cleft palate (ICP) (cleft of the secondary palate only) at 2 and 22 months of age and comparison of the morphology and growth to that of a control group with unilateral incomplete cleft lip (UICL).
Material And Methods:
A total of 98 cleft children (53 with ICP and 45 with UICL) drawn from a larger group representing all Danish children with cleft born in the period 1976 to 1981 were included in the study. Craniofacial morphology and growth were analyzed using three-projection infant cephalometry.
Results:
The ICP group differed significantly from the UICL group. The most striking findings in the ICP group were: short maxilla; reduced posterior maxillary height; increased posterior maxillary width (in the 2-month-old); short mandible; reduced posterior height of the mandible; bimaxillary retrognathia; and reduced pharyngeal depth, height, and area. The facial growth pattern was fairly similar in the two groups except for a somewhat more vertical growth direction in the ICP group.
Conclusion:
The facial morphology in ICP children differs significantly from that of children with UICL of the same age. The differences in facial morphology can be ascribed to the difference in the primary anomaly in the ICP group. The facial growth pattern was fairly similar in the ICP and UICL group; however, a somewhat more vertical growth direction was observed in the ICP group.
