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Epidemiologic trends of cleft lip and/or palate in Switzerland
Joël Beyeler1,2, Anic Lauener1, Christos Katsaros1,3
1Department of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.
Insights
This study reveals orofacial cleft (OFC) prevalence in Switzerland from 2007-2021 was 12.5 per 10,000 births, with males more affected except for cleft palate. Accurate registries are vital for patient care.
Area of Science:
- Medical Science
- Epidemiology
- Public Health
Background:
- Limited epidemiologic data exists for orofacial cleft (OFC) births in Switzerland.
- Understanding OFC prevalence is crucial for etiologic research and healthcare planning for affected families.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe the prevalence, sex distribution, and regional variations of orofacial clefts in Switzerland.
- To establish baseline epidemiologic profiles for orofacial clefts in the Swiss population.
Main Methods:
- Descriptive epidemiological study utilizing data from the Swiss Federal Statistical Office.
- Analysis of orofacial cleft cases from 2007 to 2021, excluding 1998-2006 due to underreporting.
- Calculation of prevalence per 10,000 live births and assessment of trends and distributions.
Main Results:
- The overall prevalence of orofacial clefts in Switzerland (2007-2021) was 12.5 per 10,000 live births, showing a stable trend.
- Males were more frequently affected by OFCs than females, with the exception of isolated cleft palate.
- No distinct regional trends were observed, although prevalence varied across the seven Swiss regions.
Conclusions:
- This study provides the first comprehensive epidemiologic profile of orofacial clefts in Switzerland.
- Highlights the critical need for robust nationwide registries for accurate and reliable OFC data collection.
- Emphasizes the benefits of improved data for patients, families, and public health initiatives.
Background:
Epidemiologic data on the number of cleft lip and/or palate (orofacial cleft (OFC)) births in Switzerland are currently sparse. However, this knowledge is essential for better understanding the etiologies underlying the various cleft phenotypes and providing expectant parents with the best possible healthcare planning and counseling.
Methods:
This is the first descriptive study to report data on the prevalence of the various cleft types, their sex, and regional distributions in Switzerland. Data for the years 1998-2021 were obtained from the Swiss Federal Statistical Office. Due to the notable initial underreporting of cleft cases from 1998 to 2006, this period was omitted from the final analyses.
Results:
Between 2007 and 2021, the prevalence of all Swiss OFC cases per 10,000 live births was 12.5, with a stable trend. Cleft lip was the least common anomaly. Except for cleft palate, which was more common in females, males were generally more affected by OFC than females. There was no discernible regional trend for any of the malformations, even though the prevalence differed throughout the seven Swiss regions.
Conclusions:
This study presents the first descriptive epidemiologic profiles for OFCs in Switzerland and emphasizes the importance of nationwide OFC registries with an accurate and reliable reporting system for the benefit of current and future patients with clefts, their parents or caregivers, and society as a whole.
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