title: Transverse craniofacial features and their genetic predisposition in families with nonsyndromic unilateral cleft lip and palate.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to evaluate the transverse craniofacial form in families with nonsyndromic cleft lip and palate (NSCLP). It was hypothesized that affected as well as noncleft NSCLP family members are characterized by a common array of craniofacial features that differ from the general population.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a prospective cross-sectional investigation that included affected children with NSCLP and their noncleft parents and siblings.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 114 subjects (14 affected girls, 17 affected girls, 15 unaffected male siblings, 10 unaffected female siblings, 29 unaffected biological mothers, and 29 unaffected biological fathers) were included. Subject records comprised of posteroanterior cephalometric radiographs obtained from all 114 subjects.
  
  
  METHODS
  The width of midfacial structures, including the orbit and nose, was increased in NSCLP families, compared with published norms. Interestingly, the face was disproportionally wider in relation to total facial height. The transverse craniofacial form of children with or without clefts significantly correlated with that of their parents. Mothers displayed strong correlation with their affected and unaffected sons, whereas fathers correlated to their daughters, suggesting a possible sex-linked developmental influence.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Better understanding of the genetic inheritance of craniofacial features associated with cleft lip and palate may ultimately contribute to the development of cleft risk assessment methods.
authors.affiliation: Eastman Department of Dentistry, School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York 14620, USA.
authors.forename: Young-Jooh
authors.initials: YJ
authors.lastname: Yoon
authors.forename: Marja R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Perkiomaki
authors.forename: Ross H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Tallents
authors.forename: Ingrid
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Barillas
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Herrera-Guido
authors.forename: Chin-To
authors.initials: CT
authors.lastname: Fong
authors.forename: Stephanos
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kyrkanides
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002508:Cephalometry; D002648:Child; D002971:Cleft Lip / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology*; D002972:Cleft Palate / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology*; D003364:Costa Rica; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008445:Maxillofacial Development / Q000235:genetics*; D015588:Observer Variation; D010290:Parents; D011446:Prospective Studies; D035781:Siblings; D012886:Skull / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric