Demographics of cleft lip/palate in a South Western Nigerian population

Objective: To determine the demographic pattern of cleft lip and or palate (CL/P) patients presenting in a South Western Nigerian tertiary facility. Methods: The study group comprised of CL/P patients presenting at the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital (OAUTH) over a 5 and half year period (January 2006 to June 2011). A retro-prospective review of their demographics was undertaken. Information retrieved included patients age, gender, income group, weight at birth and presentation, type of cleft and presence of associated anomalies among others. Data was entered into the computer and analysed using the SPSS version 11.0. Statistical significance was inferred at p<0.05. Results: 231 patients met the inclusion criteria. They were 133 males and 98 females aged 1day to 70 years on presentation at the hospital. Gestation ranged from 8–12.5 months with mean at 9.17±0.54months and mode 9 months. Majority of patients were in the 1st – 4th birth rank (85.7%) and low income group (78.8%). Positive family history was elicited in 5 cases (2.2%). Although birth weight was not documented / unknown in 172 (74.5%) patients, their current weights by age group suggest significant retardation especially in the first 12-24 months of life. Cleft of the primary palate was most prevalent (55.8%) followed by cleft of primary and secondary palate (26.4%) and isolated cleft palate (15.6%). 5cases (2.2%) of rare facial clefts were found. Although we observed female preponderance in every cleft type, this was not statistically significant. Laterality revealed a preponderance of clefts on the left side. Left: Right was 1.7:1 in cleft of primary palate and 1.6:1 in cleft of the primary and secondary palate. Conclusion: Cleft of primary palate is the commonest type in the studied group. Defective weight gain, low income, insignificant female preponderance and predominant left sidedness were observed.