Presurgical orthopedics and satisfaction in motherhood: a randomized clinical trial (Dutchcleft).
OBJECTIVE
To study the effect of infant orthopedics on satisfaction in motherhood.


METHODS
Prospective two-arm randomized controlled trial in parallel with three participating academic cleft palate centers. Treatment allocation was concealed and was performed by means of a computerized balanced allocation method.


METHODS
Cleft palate centers of Amsterdam, Nijmegen, and Rotterdam, the Netherlands.


METHODS
Two groups of infants with complete unilateral cleft lip and palate and no other malformations.


METHODS
Group IO+ (n = 27) wore passive maxillary plates during the first year of life, group IO- (n = 27) did not.


METHODS
Mean satisfaction scores were obtained from completed questionnaires at 6, 24, and 58 weeks of age. A 4-point scale was used (1 = very satisfactory to 4 = very unsatisfactory).


RESULTS
The range of the mean scores for the individual items on the questionnaires for both groups ranged between 1.1 and 2.4. No differences were found between groups. Mothers appear to be satisfied in motherhood, least satisfied with the available time for themselves, and very satisfied with hugging and walking their babies. No differences were found between groups.


CONCLUSIONS
Results from the present study show that infant orthopedics, with a passive plate during the first year of life, in children with a unilateral cleft lip and palate has no influence on the mothers' satisfaction in motherhood.
Prahl
Charlotte
C
Department of Orthodontics Academic Center for Dentistry, Amsterdam, the Netherlands. c.prahl@acta.nl
Prahl-Andersen
Birte
B
Van't Hof
Martin A
MA
Kuijpers-Jagtman
Anne M
AM
D002971:Cleft Lip / Q000628:therapy*; D002972:Cleft Palate / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D009035:Mothers / Q000523:psychology*; D019637:Orthopedic Procedures; D009989:Orthotic Devices; D016487:Parenting / Q000523:psychology*; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012944:Social Support; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires