A nationwide cohort study on growth impairment by cleft lip with or without palate

Abstract

There are very few nationwide studies discussing the height, weight, head circumference, and dental screening of children with cleft lip with or without palate (CL/P), with most reports on this subject based on a 1900s cohort. This study aimed to characterize CL/P children in the 2000s in terms of height, weight, head circumference, and dental screening. This nationwide population-based study evaluated the National Health Insurance Service-Infants and Children's Health Screening (NHIS-INCHS), specifically the height, weight, and head circumference of millions of children. Dental screening data, including the status of each tooth and comprehensive dental judgment, were also evaluated. Syndromic and nonsyndromic CL/P children had lower height, weight, and head circumference than no CL/P children until the age of 66-71 months. Children with cleft palate only or both cleft lip and palate showed similar results. Regarding dental screening, the primary teeth of CL/P children erupted later and fell out faster than no CL/P children. Dental caries was also more common in CL/P children. Children with CL/P had inferior general growth, regardless of palatoplasty surgery. More aggressive dental treatment was required for CL/P children due to the instability of primary teeth and tendency for caries.

Figure 1

Flowchart of the study.

Figure 2

Comparison of height between CL/P and no CL/P children. (a) Height of CL/P children grouped by age and the presence of associated syndromes. (b) Height of CL/P children at 66–71 months grouped by the presence of associated syndromes. (c) Height of CL/P children grouped by age and subgroup (CLO, CPO, CLP). (d) Height of CL/P children at 66–71 months by subgroup (CLO, CPO, CLP).

Figure 3

Comparison of weight between CL/P and no CL/P children. (a) Weight of CL/P children grouped by age and the presence of associated syndromes. (b) Weight of CL/P children at 66–71 months grouped by the presence of associated syndromes. (c) Weight of CL/P children grouped by age and subgroup (CLO, CPO, CLP). (d) Weight of CL/P children at 66–71 months by subgroup (CLO, CPO, CLP).

Figure 4

Comparison of head circumference between CL/P and no CL/P children. (a) Head circumference of CL/P children grouped by age and the presence of associated syndromes. (b) Head circumference of CL/P children at 66–71 months grouped by the presence of associated syndromes. (c) Head circumference of CL/P children grouped by age and subgroup (CLO, CPO, CLP). (d) Head circumference of CL/P children at 66–71 months by subgroup (CLO, CPO, CLP).