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Prevalence of Congenital Heart Diseases in Patients with Orofacial Clefts: A Systematic Review
Insights
Congenital heart diseases (CHDs) are common in patients with orofacial clefts (OFCs), with prevalence rates varying widely. Echocardiography is recommended for CHD assessment in OFC patients.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Genetics
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Prevalence rates of congenital heart diseases (CHDs) in patients with orofacial clefts (OFCs) show significant variability in existing reports.
- Understanding the precise prevalence is crucial for effective clinical management and patient counseling.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review and synthesize the existing literature on the prevalence rates of CHDs in individuals diagnosed with OFCs.
- To provide a more accurate estimation of CHD prevalence in this specific patient population.
Main Methods:
- A comprehensive literature search was performed using PubMed, covering publications from 1950 to June 2015.
- Keywords included "congenital heart diseases," "orofacial clefts," "cleft lip/palate," and "prevalence."
- Nine studies, encompassing 5,707 patients with OFCs and identifying 598 CHD cases, were included in the analysis.
Main Results:
- The overall prevalence of CHDs in patients with OFCs ranged from 3.9% to 23.9%.
- Prospective studies reported a higher prevalence (12.0%) compared to retrospective studies (8.6%).
- Newborn studies, particularly those utilizing echocardiography, indicated a higher prevalence (23.9%) of CHDs in OFC patients.
Conclusions:
- Congenital heart disease is a frequent comorbidity in patients with orofacial clefts.
- Echocardiography is strongly recommended as a diagnostic tool for assessing CHDs in individuals with OFCs to ensure timely detection and management.
Background:
The reports on prevalence rates of congenital heart diseases (CHDs) in patients with orofacial clefts (OFCs) have varied widely.
Objective:
To systematically review the prevalence rates of CHDs in patients with OFCs.
Material And Method:
A computer search was conducted through the PubMed from 1950 to June 2015 using key words or search terms of congenital heart diseases, orofacial clefts, cleft lip/palate and prevalence.
Results:
The search resulted in nine studies with 598 CHDs cases identified in 5,707 patients with OFCs. The prevalence of CHDs in patients with OFCs ranged from 3.9% to 23.9%. The five prospective studies had prevalence rates of 12.0% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 10.9 to 13.2) whilst the four retrospective studies had prevalence rates of 8.6% (95% CI: 7.5 to 9.8). Concerning the prospective studies, the newborn study had a higher prevalence than those of other childhood studies [23.9% vs. 11.5% (95% CI: 10.4 to 12.7)]. The newborn study with the use of echocardiography had a higher prevalence than those without using echocardiography (23.9% vs. 12.8%). Atrial septal defect was the most frequent CHD found.
Conclusion:
CHD is commonly found in a patient with OFC. Echocardiography should be used to assess CHD in patients with OFCs.
