Skeletal Maturation in Patients With Cleft Lip and/or Palate: A Systematic Review.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this systematic review was to evaluate the evidence regarding skeletal maturation in patients with cleft lip and/or palate (CL/P) and to investigate whether the skeletal maturation is delayed in these patients.

DESIGN

Systematic review.

METHODS

Electronic and manual searches of scientific literature were conducted in 4 databases (MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science). Cohort studies that compared the skeletal maturation of patients with CL/P with that of children without CL/P were eligible for inclusion. The quality of included cohort studies was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale.

PATIENTS AND

PARTICIPANTS

Patients of any sex and ethnicity with CL/P and children without CL/P were included in this systematic review.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Difference in skeletal maturation between patients with CL/P and patients without CL/P.

RESULTS

Thirteen retrospective cohort studies were included in this systematic review. Ten studies were considered of high quality and 3 were considered of general quality. The results of the included studies comparing skeletal maturation of patients with CL/P and children without CL/P were heterogeneous.

CONCLUSION

Heterogeneity of skeletal maturation assessment methods, chronological age, sex, cleft type, and race may influence the final results of clinical studies on skeletal maturation in patients with CL/P. Overall, there is limited evidence to determine whether the skeletal maturation level of patients with CL/P is delayed compared to that of normal children. Further studies are needed to determine the skeletal maturation patterns in patients with CL/P.