Factor analysis of craniofacial morphology in complete bilateral cleft lip and palate

The lateral roentgencephalograms of 29 children with repaired complete bilateral clefts of the lip and palate (BCLP) were compared with those of an equal number of non-cleft children matched for age (+/- 0.9 yr.) and sex. Of 21 spatial, angular, and linear measurements used to evaluate craniofacial skeletal morphology, 11 showed significant differences between the groups. Using factor analysis, covariation between variables was reduced to a set of six factors: I cranial base; II mandible; III palate; IV lower face; V nasomaxillary-pharyngeal complex; VI clivus. The six-factor solution accounts for 91.7 percent of the variance. Factors II, III, and V provide the best discrimination between BCLP and noncleft individuals.