Seasonal Variation of Orofacial Clefts.

Area of Science:

• Craniofacial Malformations
• Pediatric Health
• Environmental Epidemiology

Background:

• Orofacial clefts are common birth defects, with multifactorial causes.
• Research on genetic and environmental factors in African populations is limited.
• Seasonal variation in birth defects suggests environmental influences.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate seasonal variation in orofacial cleft occurrence in an African population.
• To determine if specific types of clefts (CL, CP, CL/P) show seasonal patterns.
• To explore potential environmental factors influencing cleft development.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective record review of 512 infants at Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital (2000-2015).
• Data collected included birth date, gender, cleft diagnosis, and laterality.
• Statistical analysis to identify seasonal variations in incidence.

Main Results:

• Seasonal variation was observed in cleft lip and palate (CL/P) incidence.
• More infants with CL/P were born during winter months.
• No significant seasonal variation found for isolated cleft lip (CL) or isolated cleft palate (CP).

Conclusions:

• Seasonal variation in CL/P suggests a distinct in-utero environmental influence, possibly during spring first trimesters.
• Potential factors include sunlight exposure, vitamin D, maternal weight gain, and obesity.
• Further research is needed to confirm these environmental links.