Prevalence and patterns of cleft lip and palate in Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia: A nine-year retrospective study.

BACKGROUND

Both cleft lip and palate are among the most common birth defects, significantly impacting individuals and families socially, financially, and psychologically. Understanding the prevalence and patterns of these anomalies is essential for developing targeted healthcare interventions.

AIM: This study aimed to estimate the prevalence and analyze the patterns of cleft lip and/or palate defects among patients referred to King Khalid General Hospital in Hafer Al-Baten, Saudi Arabia. The findings can help in formulating regional healthcare strategies and guiding policy decisions for better management of cleft cases.

METHODS

This retrospective study was conducted in the Department of Oral Maxillofacial Surgery at King Khalid General Hospital, Hafer Al-Baten. Data of cleft lip and/or palate patients from January 2014 to December 2022 were analyzed. Pearson Chi-square test was used to examine the distribution of cleft cases by year, gender, and side of the cleft.

RESULTS

The prevalence of cleft lip with or without cleft palate was 0.415 per 1000 live births. Males constituted 56.0% of cases, and females constituted 44.0%, with a mean age of 4.5 (±1.6) months at diagnosis. One-third (33.1%) of cases had cleft palate only, while cleft lip was more common on the left side. Associated congenital anomalies, particularly cardiac diseases, were found in 1.2% of cases.

CONCLUSION

Orofacial clefts were more prevalent in males, with left-sided clefts being dominant. The study highlights the necessity of establishing a national registry for cleft anomalies in Saudi Arabia to improve healthcare planning. Further research is required to explore the genetic and environmental risk factors contributing to cleft development.