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Short mandible - a possible risk factor for cleft palate with/without a cleft lip
N V Hermann1, T A Darvann, B K Ersbøll
1Paediatric Dentistry and Clinical Genetics, School of Dentistry, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark; 3D Craniofacial Image Research Laboratory (School of Dentistry, University of Copenhagen; Centre of Head and Orthopaedics, Copenhagen University Hospital Rigshospitalet; and DTU Compute, Technical University of Denmark), Copenhagen, Denmark.
Insights
A shorter mandible in infants is linked to an increased risk of developing cleft palate. This study found that each millimeter decrease in mandibular length elevates cleft palate risk by approximately 58%.
Area of Science:
- Craniofacial development
- Pediatric genetics
- Congenital anomalies
Background:
- Cleft lip and palate (CLP) are common congenital anomalies.
- The etiology of CLP is multifactorial, involving genetic and environmental factors.
- Mandibular hypoplasia may play a role in the development of cleft palate.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between mandibular length and the risk of cleft palate (CP) with or without cleft lip.
- To quantify the influence of a short mandible on CP development.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective study of 115 infants with CP and 70 controls with unilateral incomplete cleft lip (UICL).
- Cephalometric X-rays were used to measure mandibular length (Lm).
- Mandibular length was corrected for body length (Lmc) and analyzed using logistic regression.
Main Results:
- Infants with CP exhibited a mean mandibular length approximately 4 mm shorter than controls.
- A statistically significant association was found between reduced mandibular length and increased CP risk.
- The odds ratio (OR) indicated a 58% increased risk of CP for every 1 mm decrease in corrected mandibular length (95% CI: 0.48-0.68).
Conclusions:
- A short mandible, as part of a specific facial type, is identified as a potential risk factor for cleft palate.
- The findings suggest a quantifiable relationship between mandibular hypoplasia and cleft palate development.
Objectives:
To estimate the influence of a short mandible on the risk of developing a cleft palate with/without a cleft lip (CP).
Setting And Sample Population:
The retrospective sample consisted of 115 2-month-old Danish infants with CP, and 70 control infants with unilateral incomplete cleft lip (UICL).
Material And Methods:
Cephalometric X-rays were obtained. Mandibular length (Lm ) was measured and corrected for body length (Lb ) to remove influence of varying body length in the sample. Logistic regression was applied to the corrected mandibular length (Lmc ) to calculate the risk of having a cleft palate.
Results:
The mean mandibular length in the group with CP was about 4 mm shorter than in the control group. Odds ratio (OR) was calculated to be 0.58 (95% confidence interval 0.48-0.68), implying that an individual's risk of cleft palate with/without a cleft lip increases about 50% per mm decrease in mandibular length.
Conclusions:
A special facial type including a short mandible is a possible risk factor for cleft palate, and it was found that the risk of cleft palate increases 58% per mm decreases in mandibular length.
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