Changes of craniofacial growth and development in males with complete unilateral cleft lip and palate between the age of 5 to 20 years.

The study is based on an anthropometric assessment of X-ray films obtained in two series of males with complete unilateral cleft lip and palate. The first series was examined at the age of 5, 10 and 15 years, the second series at 15 and 20 years. The films were assessed with Jarabak's analysis. The aim of our study was to compare the amount of growth and character of developmental changes in the prepubertal, pubertal and postpubertal period of life. The highest growth rate of skeletal structures was present in the prepubertal period, it was somewhat slighter in the pubertal period and it still continued in the postpubertal period. The high growth rate in the prepubertal period was probably related to the eruption of permanent teeth. In spite of a marked deterioration of sagittal jaw relations during the prepubertal period an improvement of an overjet was attained. However during the puberty and the postpubertal period a further improvement was not recorded. The results are in agreement with facial type of growth characterized by a slight pubertal spurt.