title: A descriptive epidemiology study of cleft lip and palate in Northern Finland.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to determine the incidence of cleft lip and/or cleft palate in a population uniquely from Northern Finland.
  
  
  METHODS
  The records of a total of 214 cleft patients treated between 1998-2011 at the Oulu Cleft Lip and Palate Center at the University of Oulu were assessed on a retrospective basis. Data regarding cleft type, sex and side of cleft was collected and analyzed. Family history of clefting was investigated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Cleft palate (68.7%) was most frequently found, followed by cleft lip and palate (18.7%) and cleft lip with or without alveolus (12.6%). Cleft palate occurred more frequently in females (63.3%) and cleft lip and palate was more frequently found in males (62.5%). The left side was more frequently affected in both male and female patients. Left-sided clefts were observed in 82% of patients compared to right-sided clefts in 18%. A family history of clefting was detected in 20.1% of patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The incidence of clefts in Northern Finland is higher than the corresponding incidence in other European countries. Cleft palate was the most frequent cleft type and it was more frequent in females. In males, cleft lip and palate was more frequent. The left side was more frequently affected in both genders. One fifth of the patients had a family history of clefts.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Institute of Dentistry, University of Oulu, Oulu Cleft Lip and Palate Center, Oulu University Hospital , Oulu , Finland.
authors.forename: Riitta H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Lithovius
authors.forename: Leena P
authors.initials: LP
authors.lastname: Ylikontiola
authors.forename: Virpi
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Harila
authors.forename: George K
authors.initials: GK
authors.lastname: Sándor
mesh_terms: D002971:Cleft Lip / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002972:Cleft Palate / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D005387:Finland / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies
keywords: cleft lip and or palate; family history of cleft; incidence; side of cleft