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Incidence of orofacial clefts in the Slovak Republic

Erika Machábová1, Roman Bánsky, Margita Spaleková

  • 1Institute of Epidemiology, Medical Faculty, Comenius University, Bratislava, Slovak Republic. erika.machacova@fmed.uniba.sk

Central European Journal of Public Health
|December 13, 2006
PubMed

Insights

Orofacial clefts (OC) affect 1 in 620 newborns in Slovakia, with higher incidence in males and specific regions. This study identified underreporting in national registers, highlighting the need for improved OC surveillance.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Surgery
  • Congenital Malformations
  • Public Health Surveillance

Background:

  • Orofacial clefts (OC) are common congenital anomalies impacting newborns.
  • Accurate incidence data is crucial for understanding OC prevalence and planning healthcare resources.
  • Previous data may not fully capture the true incidence of OC in the Slovak Republic.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the total incidence of orofacial clefts (OC) in the Slovak Republic.
  • To analyze OC prevalence by type, gender, region, and seasonal variations.
  • To compare active survey data with national register notifications for OC.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective active survey of clinical data from specialized plastic surgery departments.
  • Data collected over 16 years (1985-2000) for children with OC.
  • Analysis included incidence rates per 1,000 live births, stratified by demographics and geography.

Main Results:

  • Total incidence of OC was 1.61 per 1,000 live births (1,849 children identified).
  • Cleft lip and palate (CLP) was the most common type (40.5%), followed by cleft palate (CP) (32%) and cleft lip (CL) (26%).
  • Males had a higher incidence (1.71/1000 LB) than females (1.50/1000 LB); incidence varied significantly by region.

Conclusions:

  • The true incidence of OC in Slovakia is higher than previously notified, with an estimated rate of 1 in 620 live births.
  • A significant underestimation (17%) of OC cases was found compared to national register data.
  • Regional variations and higher male incidence underscore the need for targeted public health strategies and improved surveillance systems for orofacial clefts.

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