Epidemiological study of patients with cleft lip and palate at Specialized National Hospital in Venezuela

Abstract

Aims: The aims of the study are to describe the epidemiological characteristics of the patients with cleft lip and palate (CLP) treated at Specialized National Hospital in Venezuela. Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective, epidemiological, and cross-sectional study. Sample involved medical records from patients with diagnosis of any CLP treated from 2011 to 2021. The variables analyzed were age, gender, origin, anatomical structures involved, syndromes, other associated conditions, and sequelae, which were collected and analyzed. A descriptive analysis of each variable was carried out. Results: Data from 641 patients were analyzed, with an average age of 1 year old (±3 months–9 years of age), showing an equitable distribution in relation to gender. Of the facial clefts, the most common was the complete bilateral alveolar cleft (16.2%), followed by the complete left cleft lip (10.5%). The study yielded few cases of patients with some syndrome or associated condition (3.7% for each one, respectively). Geographically, there was a distribution of cases in all the states of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, with the largest number of cases being in the capital region. Conclusions: It was observed that the prevalence of CLP has increased in recent years; these epidemiological figures vary by region, age, and gender. However, greater knowledge from health professionals is necessary to understand the clinical and epidemiological aspects of the orofacial cleft, which is essential to improve the understanding of the pathogenesis, promote preventive strategies, and guide multidisciplinary clinical care.