title: Population-based study of birth prevalence and factors associated with cleft lip and/or palate in Taiwan 2002-2009.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Facial cleft deformities, including cleft lip with or without cleft palate (CL/P) and cleft palate (CP), are common congenital birth anomalies, especially in Asia. This study aimed to analyze the prevalence of CL/P and CP and to identify associated factors in Taiwan.
  
  
  METHODS
  This population-based epidemiological study retrospectively analyzed birth data obtained from the Department of Health in Taiwan for years 2002-2009. Frequency distribution, percentages and related predictors were investigated, and findings were presented by types of cleft deformities. Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify factors associated with cleft deformities.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Overall prevalence of cleft deformities among 1,705,192 births was 0.1% for CL/P and 0.04% for CP over the 8-year study period. Higher prevalence of CL/P or CP was observed with multiple pregnancies, being male for CL/P, being female for CP, gestational age ≤37 weeks and lower birth weight (<1.5 kg). Both CL/P and CP were significantly associated with gestational age <37 weeks and birth weight<1.5 kg (all P <0.0001). CL/P was significantly associated with multiple parities (P = 0.0004-0.002). Male newborns and female newborns were significantly associated with CL/P and CP, respectively (both P<0.0001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Overall prevalence for congenital cleft deformities in study subjects was 0.1%, in keeping with high rates in Asia. Results suggest the need for awareness and early identification of those at high risk for cleft deformities, including newborns with gestational age <37 weeks, weighing <1.5 kg at birth and women with multiple parities, as a potential strategy to counter long-term adverse effects on speech and language in this population.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nursing, College of Medicine and Nursing, HungKuang University, Taiwan, Republic of China. lilylei@sunrise.hk.edu.tw
authors.forename: Ruoh-Lih
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Lei
authors.forename: Huey-Shys
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Bao-Yuan
authors.initials: BY
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Yueh-Chih
authors.initials: YC
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Philip Kuo-Ting
authors.initials: PK
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Huei-Ying
authors.initials: HY
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Chi-Wen
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: Chih-Lung
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Wu
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001724:Birth Weight; D002971:Cleft Lip / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002972:Cleft Palate / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011159:Population Surveillance; D015995:Prevalence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D013624:Taiwan / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult
references.citation: Proc Soc Exp Biol Med. 1982 Oct;171(1):41-5
references.pmid: 7145936
references.citation: East Mediterr Health J. 2008 Mar-Apr;14(2):356-9
references.pmid: 18561727
references.citation: Arch Dis Child Fetal Neonatal Ed. 2011 May;96(3):F212-6
references.pmid: 21071682
references.citation: Cleft Palate Craniofac J. 2011 Jan;48(1):66-81
references.pmid: 20507242
references.citation: Int J Gynaecol Obstet. 2011 Jun;113(3):211-4
references.pmid: 21458814
references.citation: Plast Reconstr Surg. 2011 Mar;127(3):1255-1262
references.pmid: 21364426
references.citation: Paediatr Perinat Epidemiol. 2009 Jul;23(4):310-20
references.pmid: 19523078
references.citation: Plast Reconstr Surg. 2011 Jan;127(1):327-332
references.pmid: 21200226
references.citation: Adv Neonatal Care. 2005 Apr;5(2):64-71
references.pmid: 15806447
references.citation: Adv Dent Res. 2011 May;23(2):247-58
references.pmid: 21490237
references.citation: Cleft Palate Craniofac J. 2005 Jul;42(4):349-54
references.pmid: 16001914
references.citation: Stomatologija. 2010;12(4):105-8
references.pmid: 21266834
references.citation: Cleft Palate Craniofac J. 2005 Sep;42(5):556-9
references.pmid: 16149839
references.citation: Cleft Palate Craniofac J. 2008 Mar;45(2):141-7
references.pmid: 18333643
references.citation: Cleft Palate Craniofac J. 2011 Sep;48(5):497-508
references.pmid: 20815712
references.citation: Ann Epidemiol. 2010 Jan;20(1):32-9
references.pmid: 20006274
references.citation: Eur J Orthod. 2005 Jun;27(3):274-85
references.pmid: 15947228
references.citation: South Med J. 1995 Apr;88(4):437-42
references.pmid: 7716597
references.citation: J Korean Med Sci. 2002 Feb;17(1):49-52
references.pmid: 11850588
references.citation: Cleft Palate Craniofac J. 2004 Nov;41(6):609-12
references.pmid: 15516163