Pilot study: Correlation between nasalance scores and cephalometric parameters in Estonian cleft palate children

According to Klassen et al. (2012), the overall quality of life of CL/P children is most affected by appearance and quality of speech, as these differences are most noticeable to others. To what extent changes in craniofacial growth have an impact on speech quality has yet to be clarified. Therefore, we aimed to determine which cephalometric parameters differed between healthy and cleft palate groups.

17 healthy and 11 children born with CL/P were included. We conducted a cross-sectional and comparative study. A combination of objective and subjective assessment methods was performed: nasalance scores were calculated, and lateral cephalograms were evaluated by indirect digitization using Dolphin Imaging Software.

The analysis showed differences in the length of the hard (PNS-A) and soft palate (PNS-P), and in the width of the lower oropharyngeal airway (AW5-AW6). The mean length of the hard palate was 3.7 mm and the soft palate 3.0 mm shorter in the CL/P group compared to the healthy group. Hypernasal resonance was related to (1) the length of the hard palate, (2) the distance between the hyoid bone from the third cervical vertebra, and (3) the angle formed by the NA line and the NB line (ANB). Only 11 CL/P children met the inclusion criteria. Thus, the results may have been affected by the small sample size. The Control group consisted of children who visited ENT doctors or orthodontists.

The results showed differences in cephalometric parameters in the two groups. Still, we continue to collect data and plan to conduct the analysis on larger and more homogenous sample size.