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A Comparative Study of Oral Microbiota in Infants with Complete Cleft Lip and Palate or Cleft Soft Palate

Agnieszka Machorowska-Pieniążek1, Anna Mertas2, Małgorzata Skucha-Nowak3

  • 1Department of Orthodontics, School of Medicine with the Division of Dentistry in Zabrze, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, Traugutta Square 2, 41-800 Zabrze, Poland.

Biomed Research International
|April 11, 2017
PubMed

Insights

Infants with complete cleft lip and palate (CLP) show increased pathogenic oral bacteria compared to those with cleft soft palate (CSP). This early oral microbiota difference highlights potential health risks in CLP infants.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Pediatric Dentistry
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Limited research exists on early oral microbiota in infants with cleft palate.
  • Understanding early microbial colonization is crucial for managing health outcomes in these infants.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess and compare the oral microbiota formation in infants with complete cleft lip and palate (CLP) versus cleft soft palate (CSP).
  • To analyze bacterial prevalence and colonization patterns at neonatal and gum pad stages.

Main Methods:

  • Collection of oral swabs from tongue, palate, and/or cleft margin at two time points (neonatal and gum pad stage).
  • Analysis of bacterial species prevalence and proportional colonization on the palate and tongue.
  • Comparison of microbial profiles between CLP and CSP infant groups.

Main Results:

  • *Streptococcus mitis* was the most frequent bacterium detected in both CLP and CSP infants at the neonatal stage.
  • Infants with CLP exhibited a significantly higher prevalence of methicillin-sensitive *Staphylococcus aureus* (MSSA) compared to CSP infants.
  • At the gum pad stage, CLP infants showed significantly higher percentages of *S. mitis*, MSSA, *Staphylococcus epidermidis*, and Enterobacteriaceae compared to CSP infants.
  • *S. mitis* and *Streptococcus sanguinis* were dominant on the tongue, while *Streptococcus salivarius* predominated on the palate.
  • The oral microbiota in CLP infants demonstrated a significant increase in pathogenic bacteria over time.

Conclusions:

  • Infants with CLP experience distinct oral microbiota development characterized by a greater prevalence of potentially pathogenic bacteria compared to those with CSP.
  • These findings underscore the need for targeted monitoring and potential interventions for oral health in infants with CLP.

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