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Published on: September 19, 2015
A nationwide cohort study on growth impairment by cleft lip with or without palate
Jeong Yeop Ryu1, Tae Hyun Park1, Joon Seok Lee1
1Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University, 680 Gukchaebosanro, Jung-gu, Daegu, 41405, Republic of Korea.
Insights
Children with cleft lip with or without palate (CL/P) show delayed growth and dental issues, including later tooth eruption and increased cavities. These findings highlight the need for specialized care for CL/P patients.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Health
- Craniofacial Anomalies
- Public Health
Background:
- Limited recent nationwide data exists on the growth and dental health of children with cleft lip with or without palate (CL/P).
- Previous studies primarily focused on older cohorts, necessitating updated characterization of CL/P children in the 2000s.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize the physical growth (height, weight, head circumference) and dental screening status of children with CL/P in the 2000s.
- To compare growth parameters and dental outcomes between CL/P children and their non-CL/P peers.
Main Methods:
- Utilized nationwide population-based data from the National Health Insurance Service-Infants and Children's Health Screening (NHIS-INCHS).
- Analyzed anthropometric measurements (height, weight, head circumference) and dental screening data (tooth status, caries prevalence) for millions of children.
- Compared syndromic and nonsyndromic CL/P children with a control group.
Main Results:
- CL/P children (syndromic and nonsyndromic) exhibited significantly lower height, weight, and head circumference compared to non-CL/P children up to 66-71 months of age.
- Children with cleft palate only or cleft lip and palate showed comparable growth deficits.
- CL/P children experienced delayed primary tooth eruption, faster tooth loss, and a higher incidence of dental caries.
- Growth deficits persisted irrespective of palatoplasty surgery.
Conclusions:
- Children with CL/P demonstrate impaired general growth and distinct dental development patterns compared to the general pediatric population.
- CL/P necessitates more intensive dental management due to primary tooth instability and increased caries risk.
- These findings underscore the importance of comprehensive, long-term monitoring and specialized interventions for children with CL/P.
Abstract:
There are very few nationwide studies discussing the height, weight, head circumference, and dental screening of children with cleft lip with or without palate (CL/P), with most reports on this subject based on a 1900s cohort. This study aimed to characterize CL/P children in the 2000s in terms of height, weight, head circumference, and dental screening. This nationwide population-based study evaluated the National Health Insurance Service-Infants and Children's Health Screening (NHIS-INCHS), specifically the height, weight, and head circumference of millions of children. Dental screening data, including the status of each tooth and comprehensive dental judgment, were also evaluated. Syndromic and nonsyndromic CL/P children had lower height, weight, and head circumference than no CL/P children until the age of 66-71 months. Children with cleft palate only or both cleft lip and palate showed similar results. Regarding dental screening, the primary teeth of CL/P children erupted later and fell out faster than no CL/P children. Dental caries was also more common in CL/P children. Children with CL/P had inferior general growth, regardless of palatoplasty surgery. More aggressive dental treatment was required for CL/P children due to the instability of primary teeth and tendency for caries.
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