title: Epidemiological Study of Orofacial Clefts among Population of Eastern Slovakia during the Period 1996-2013.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Over the past 18 years, according to data from the Clinic of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, L. Pasteur University Hospital, there have been 493 cases of orofacial clefts (OC) reported in the area of Eastern Slovakia. The aim of this study was to map the occurrence of orofacial clefts reported in the area of Eastern Slovakia during the years 1996-2013. Also, we compared the occurrence of different types of clefts between the groups in relation to gender and ethnicity.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The statistical analysis shows relationship between variables of location and gender and gender differences in the occurrence of various types of clefts. Moreover, in comparison with another study which analyzed the years 1985-2000 (1.29/10(3) live births), there was an increase in the incidence (1.42/10(3) live births) of OC in Eastern Slovakia.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our findings seem contradictive to similar studies which discuss ethnic differences in relation to OC. We recognize the relatively high occurrence of OC in Eastern Slovakia, and we link this phenomenon to several extrinsic factors, in particular socioeconomic status and embryotoxic factors.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Biology and Ecology, P. J. Šafárik University in Košice, Košice, Slovak Republic.
authors.forename: Diana
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Pacáková
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, L. Pasteur University Hospital, Košice, Slovak Republic.
authors.forename: Marianna
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zábavníková
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Palacký University, Olomouc, Czech Republic.
authors.forename: Mária
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Miklošová
authors.affiliation: Institute of Biology and Ecology, P. J. Šafárik University in Košice, Košice, Slovak Republic.
authors.forename: Diana
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kúkeľová
authors.affiliation: 2nd Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, P. J. Šafárik University and L. Pasteur University Hospital, Košice, Slovak Republic.|Centre for Prenatal Diagnosis, Košice, Slovak Republic.
authors.forename: Róbert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Dankovčík
mesh_terms: D002971:Cleft Lip / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000208:ethnology / Q000601:surgery; D002972:Cleft Palate / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000208:ethnology / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D012737:Sex Factors; D018154:Slovakia / Q000453:epidemiology
keywords: Eastern Slovakia regions; cleft lip and/or palate; ethnic group; incidence