Related Experiment Videos
First year-of-life mortality among infants with oral clefts: New York State, 1983-1990
C M Druschel1, J P Hughes, C L Olsen
1School of Public Health, University of Albany, State University of New York, USA.
Insights
Children with isolated oral clefts, such as cleft palate or cleft lip, do not face elevated mortality risks. However, associated malformations significantly increase mortality in these children.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Health
- Genetics and Developmental Biology
- Public Health Surveillance
Background:
- Oral clefts are common congenital anomalies.
- Understanding associated mortality risks is crucial for clinical management.
- Previous studies have shown varied outcomes for oral cleft conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the mortality experience of infants diagnosed with oral clefts.
- To compare mortality rates between children with oral clefts and those without malformations.
- To identify factors influencing mortality in children with oral clefts.
Main Methods:
- Utilized the New York State Congenital Malformations Registry.
- Analyzed data for infants born between 1983-1990 with oral clefts.
- Matched cases to birth certificates and compared them to a control group of live births without malformations.
Main Results:
- Children with cleft palate alone showed a non-significant adjusted mortality risk of 1.2.
- Children with cleft lip (with or without palate involvement) had an adjusted risk of 1.1.
- A significant finding was that 35% of oral cleft cases had associated malformations, leading to substantially higher mortality.
Conclusions:
- Isolated oral clefts (cleft palate, cleft lip) do not appear to elevate mortality risk.
- The presence of associated malformations is a critical determinant of increased mortality in children with oral clefts.
- Comprehensive evaluation for additional malformations is essential for accurate risk assessment and management.
Abstract:
This study examined the mortality experience of children with oral clefts using the New York State Congenital Malformations Registry. Infants born in the years 1983 to 1990 to New York residents, diagnosed with an oral cleft and matched to their birth certificate were included in the analysis. Children with oral clefts were compared to a sample of live births from the years 1983 to 1990 without malformations. Children with cleft palate without additional malformations had a statistically nonsignificant adjusted risk of 1.2 when compared to children with no malformations. Children with cleft lip with or without cleft palate had a 1.1 adjusted risk. However, 35% of children with oral clefts had associated malformations and experienced much higher mortality. Children with oral clefts should be carefully evaluated for additional malformations; if none are found, their mortality appears not to be elevated.