Craniofacial morphology in children with complete bilateral cleft lip and palate: does infantile size of the premaxilla predetermine outcome?
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the possible association between the size of the premaxilla in infants and craniofacial morphology in children with complete bilateral cleft lip and palate (CBCLP) and identify the characteristics of craniofacial morphology in children with CBCLP with median facial dysplasia (MFD).


METHODS
Retrospective study.


METHODS
A university hospital craniofacial center.


METHODS
Thirty-four patients with nonsyndromic CBCLP, 24 boys and 10 girls, had large premaxilla (LP group). Thirty-six patients with nonsyndromic CBCLP, 16 boys and 20 girls, had small premaxilla (SP group). Thirteen CBCLP patients with MFD, five boys and eight girls (MFD group).


METHODS
Infant maxillary dental cast at the age of 1 year was used to measure the size of the premaxilla. Cephalometric analysis was used to determine craniofacial morphology in children at the age of 5 years.


RESULTS
The size of the premaxilla in infants with CBCLP varied greatly. The LP group tended to have a longer maxilla and a more protruded maxilla, producing a better interjaw relation. The opposite phenomena were observed in the MFD group; the SP group yielded results between those of the LP and the MFD groups.


CONCLUSIONS
The size of the premaxilla in infants with CBCLP can be used to predetermine subsequent craniofacial morphology at the age of 5 years. Children with nonsyndromic CBCLP had craniofacial characteristics that differed significantly from those of children with CBCLP with median facial dysplasia.
Liao
Yu-Fang
YF
Department of Dentistry, Craniofacial Center, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan. yfliao0125@yahoo.co.uk
Huang
Chiung-Shing
CS
Tsai
Ya-Yu
YY
Noordhoff
M Samuel
MS
D002508:Cephalometry; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002971:Cleft Lip / Q000473:pathology; D002972:Cleft Palate / Q000473:pathology*; D005145:Face / Q000002:abnormalities*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008437:Maxilla / Q000473:pathology*; D008445:Maxillofacial Development; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies