title: A Multisite Study of Oral Clefts and Associated Abnormalities in Thailand: The Epidemiologic Data.
abstract: This study aimed to obtain epidemiological data of birth incidences of cleft lips and/or cleft palates (CLP) in the Thai population with associated risk factors.
  
  
  METHODS
  The data were collected for a period of 12 months between 2003 and 2004 for infants' deliveries with CLP and associated risk factors in all hospitals of 6 provinces from 4 regions of Thailand. The birth incidence, related factors with cleft birth, and linkage with geographical area were analyzed by the geographic information system.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Phitsanulok, Saraburi, and Khon Kaen had higher birth incidences for CLP of 2.01, 1.69, and 1.66 per 1000 live births, respectively, and the overall birth incidence was 1.51 per 1000 live births. There were a total of 112 cleft births (61 males and 51 females) with 43 cleft lips, 18 cleft palates, and 51 cleft lips + cleft palates. The northeast region had infants with different gestational ages at birth and mothers with higher intakes of vitamins and a use of vitamin A supplement or retinoic acid than others. A use of folic acid supplement was low in all 4 regions.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The varied incidence of CLP may reflect the incomplete accuracy of case ascertainment. A number of challenges were addressed. The geographic information system was helpful for more background investigation and planning of cleft care management. Our study enables future studies of etiological factors and future birth registries.
authors.affiliation: Division of Plastic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand; Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, Songkla, Thailand; Surgical Unit, Sara Buri Hospital, Sara Buri, Thailand; Surgical Unit, Buddhachinaraj Hospital, Phitsanulok, Thailand; and Department of Orthodontics, Faculty of Dentistry, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand.
authors.forename: Bowornsilp
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Chowchuen
authors.affiliation: Division of Plastic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand; Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, Songkla, Thailand; Surgical Unit, Sara Buri Hospital, Sara Buri, Thailand; Surgical Unit, Buddhachinaraj Hospital, Phitsanulok, Thailand; and Department of Orthodontics, Faculty of Dentistry, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand.
authors.forename: Sanguansak
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Thanaviratananich
authors.affiliation: Division of Plastic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand; Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, Songkla, Thailand; Surgical Unit, Sara Buri Hospital, Sara Buri, Thailand; Surgical Unit, Buddhachinaraj Hospital, Phitsanulok, Thailand; and Department of Orthodontics, Faculty of Dentistry, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand.
authors.forename: Vichai
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Chichareon
authors.affiliation: Division of Plastic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand; Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, Songkla, Thailand; Surgical Unit, Sara Buri Hospital, Sara Buri, Thailand; Surgical Unit, Buddhachinaraj Hospital, Phitsanulok, Thailand; and Department of Orthodontics, Faculty of Dentistry, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand.
authors.forename: Anan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kamolnate
authors.affiliation: Division of Plastic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand; Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, Songkla, Thailand; Surgical Unit, Sara Buri Hospital, Sara Buri, Thailand; Surgical Unit, Buddhachinaraj Hospital, Phitsanulok, Thailand; and Department of Orthodontics, Faculty of Dentistry, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand.
authors.forename: Chusak
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Uewichitrapochana
authors.affiliation: Division of Plastic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand; Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, Songkla, Thailand; Surgical Unit, Sara Buri Hospital, Sara Buri, Thailand; Surgical Unit, Buddhachinaraj Hospital, Phitsanulok, Thailand; and Department of Orthodontics, Faculty of Dentistry, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand.
authors.forename: Keith
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Godfrey