Prevalence of cleft lip and cleft palate in a tertiary hospital in Eastern Nepal

The aim of this investigation was to determine the birth prevalence of cleft lip and palate in a tertiary health care centre of Dharan, Eastern Nepal and to ascertain whether the birth prevalence in this region differs significantly from birth prevalence reported in similar populations and other racial groups. A retrospective study was conducted from June 2005 to December 2010. The maternity records which included a record of the examination of the newborn child for the prescribed period were analyzed. Fifty one clefts were identified among 30,952 live births during 2005 to 2010. The total birth prevalence of cleft of the lip ± cleft of the palate (CL±P) was 1.64/1000 live births per year. There were 19 clefts of the lip alone (birth prevalence 0.61/1000 per year), 21 cleft lip and palate (0.67/1000 per year), and 11 cleft palate only (0.35/1000 per year). The birth prevalence was higher than what is reported for Caucasian and African populations. Cleft of the lip and palate (CLP) was the most common pattern followed by cleft of the lip (CL) and cleft of the palate (CP). Overall there was a male predominance whereas individually CLP and CL were more common in males while CP was more common in females.