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Birth Weight in Infants with a Cleft Lip and/or Palate: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Ioanna Ormanidou1, Sara Kinter2, Donna M Denno3
1Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, WA.
The Journal of Pediatrics
|July 20, 2026
Summary
Birthweight in infants with orofacial cleft is generally comparable to global standards when considering income and comorbidities. Adjusted birthweight did not vary by cleft type, highlighting the need for postnatal monitoring and nutritional support.
Area of Science:
- Medical Research
- Pediatric Health
- Genetics and Developmental Biology
Background:
- Orofacial clefts are common congenital anomalies.
- Understanding factors influencing infant birthweight is crucial for health outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the association between birthweight and orofacial clefts.
- To analyze the impact of covariates like comorbidity and country income on this association.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review and meta-analysis of 7 electronic databases.
- Screening of 5,651 articles, with 63 studies included (25,991 infants).
- Multilevel mixed-effects modeling to estimate birthweight.
Main Results:
- Adjusted mean birthweight in infants with cleft was 3405g.
- Lower birthweight observed in low/middle-income countries and infants with comorbidities.
- No significant difference in adjusted birthweight across cleft types.
Conclusions:
- Birthweight in infants with cleft aligns with global standards when accounting for income and comorbidities.
- Postnatal growth monitoring, feeding, and nutritional interventions are essential for infants with cleft.
