Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 14, 2026

Midface Hypoplasia and Cranial Base Morphology in Syndromic Craniosynostosis: A Comparative Analysis Study Using a Predictive Regression Model
08:03

Midface Hypoplasia and Cranial Base Morphology in Syndromic Craniosynostosis: A Comparative Analysis Study Using a Predictive Regression Model

Published on: November 4, 2025

Increased Endocrine Dysfunction in Children With Cleft Lip and Palate: A National Analysis of Pediatric

Kaan T Oral1, Martha M MacDonald1, Katherine G Stark1

  • 1Division of Plastic and Maxillofacial Surgery, Department of Surgery, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.

The Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Journal : Official Publication of the American Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association
|August 12, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Endocrine disorders are more common in children with orofacial clefts (OFCs), especially cleft palate, increasing healthcare use and mortality. This highlights a significant, underrecognized comorbidity in pediatric OFC patients.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Endocrinology
  • Craniofacial Anomalies
  • Healthcare Outcomes Research

Background:

  • Orofacial clefts (OFCs) are common congenital anomalies with varied phenotypes.
  • Endocrine disorders represent a potential comorbidity in children with OFCs.
  • Understanding this association is crucial for comprehensive patient care.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the prevalence and spectrum of endocrine disorders in pediatric patients with OFCs.
  • To analyze the impact of endocrine comorbidity on healthcare utilization and hospital outcomes.
  • To compare endocrine disorder prevalence across different OFC phenotypes.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of US pediatric hospitalizations from the Kids' Inpatient Database (2016, 2019, 2022).
  • Identification of orofacial cleft hospitalizations using ICD-10-CM codes.
  • Stratification by cleft phenotype (cleft lip, cleft palate, cleft lip and palate) and syndromic status.

Main Results:

  • Endocrine disorders were more prevalent in OFC patients (8.3%) versus controls (6.0%).
  • Cleft palate conferred the highest risk for endocrine disorders (aOR 2.68).
  • Endocrine comorbidity significantly increased length of stay (+131%), charges (+116%), and mortality (+43%).

Conclusions:

  • Endocrine dysfunction is a significant, often underrecognized, comorbidity in children with OFCs.
  • This comorbidity is associated with substantially increased healthcare utilization and adverse hospital outcomes.
  • The association persists even in nonsyndromic OFC cases, emphasizing the need for screening.

Keywords:
Kids’ Inpatient Databasecleft lip and palatecomprehensive cleft careendocrinologyhealthcare resource utilizationorofacial cleftsplastic surgery

Related Concept Videos

Cystic Fibrosis: Pathogenesis01:23

Cystic Fibrosis: Pathogenesis

Cystic fibrosis (CF), an autosomal recessive disorder, significantly affects the function of exocrine glands. This genetically inherited disease is characterized by the production of thick and sticky mucus, which can severely affect various organs and systems in the body.
CF is primarily caused by a genetic mutation in a chromosome 7 gene coding for the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) protein. The most common gene mutation leading to CF is the ΔF508 mutation, but...
Cushing Syndrome II: Pathophysiology01:19

Cushing Syndrome II: Pathophysiology

Cortisol production is normally governed by the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis, which maintains hormonal balance through tightly regulated feedback mechanisms. Disruption of this regulatory system is central to the development of Cushing syndrome, whether the excess cortisol originates from external medications or internal pathology. Persistent cortisol elevation alters metabolism, immune function, and endocrine signaling, producing the characteristic clinical features of the...
Adrenal Gland Disorders01:27

Adrenal Gland Disorders

Adrenal gland disorders manifest when the production of adrenal hormones deviates from the norm, resulting in either excessive or insufficient concentrations.
Adrenal insufficiency, characterized by insufficient cortisol and aldosterone production, leads to conditions like Addison's disease. This disorder, affecting the adrenal cortex, exhibits symptoms such as skin bronzing, dehydration, low blood pressure, fatigue, and weight loss. Congenital adrenal hyperplasia, a genetic ailment causing...
Cushing Syndrome I: Introduction01:26

Cushing Syndrome I: Introduction

Cushing syndrome refers to the collection of clinical manifestations that arise when tissues are exposed to excessive amounts of cortisol or cortisol-like medications over an extended period. Cortisol, a glucocorticoid produced by the adrenal cortex, regulates metabolism, immune responses, and the body’s adaptation to stress. When its concentration remains chronically elevated, these physiological pathways become dysregulated, resulting in the characteristic features of the syndrome.Exogenous...
Endocrine Signaling01:45

Endocrine Signaling

Endocrine cells produce hormones to communicate with remote target cells found in other organs. The hormone reaches these distant areas using the circulatory system. This exposes the whole organism to the hormone but only those cells expressing hormone receptors or target cells are affected. Thus, endocrine signaling induces slow responses from its target cells but these effects also last longer.