Article Category: Brief communication (Original)
Published Online: Jan 31, 2017
Page range: 335 - 338
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5372/1905-7415.1004.495
Keywords
© 2016 Rungnapa Ittiwut, Pichit Siriwan, Kanya Suphapeetiporn, Vorasuk Shotelersuk
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.
Background
Oral clefts, including cleft lip (CL), CL with cleft palate (CL/CP), and cleft palate only (CPO), are among the most common birth defects, and if left untreated can cause significant morbidity. Causes are complex and involve both genetic and environmental factors. Several studies have demonstrated the highest prevalence of oral clefts being in Asian, white, and African populations. However, there have been very few epidemiological studies of oral clefts in Thais.
Objectives
To describe the epidemiology and factors associated with oral clefts in Thais.
Methods
This retrospective case-control observational study included individuals from numerous regions in Thailand. We reviewed data regarding 784 patients with an oral cleft collected in questionnaires as part of the Thai nationwide Smart Smile and Speech Project from 2006 to 2014. Data regarding patients with oral clefts were analyzed, and compared with data regarding 187 unaffected controls.
Results
Of 784 cases, CL/CP accounted for 59.8%, CPO 21.9%, and CL 18.3%. A family history of oral clefts was detected in all 3 types (
Conclusions
CL/CP is the most common type of oral cleft. A family history of oral clefts, and maternal consumption of alcohol or nonprescribed drugs are positively associated with oral clefts in Thais.