A retrospective survey to study the prevalence of maternal modifiable risk factors leading to cleft lip and/or palate in cases reporting to a tertiary care centre in Navi Mumbai.

Authors: Pradnya Atish Korwar, Adil Gandevivala, Srivalli Natarajan, Ravindranath V K, Anjali Gourishankar Gheware

DOI: 10.18231/j.jco.8168.1758887466

Keywords: cleft lip and palate, passive smoking, consanguineous marriage, chulha smoke, folic acid

Abstract: Introduction: Orofacial clefts (OFC) comprise a range of disorders affecting the lips and oral cavity. OFC is a multifactorial disorder with both genetic and environmental risk factors involved. Affected children need multidisciplinary care from birth until adulthood. Aim: This study aims to evaluate ways of preventing the development of OFC’s through understanding the maternal modifiable risk factors leading to such congenital defects in offsprings. Methods: This cross-sectional questionnaire-based study, was carried out in MGM Dental College & Hospital, Navi Mumbai. A questionnaire was fabricated that included 11 parameters. 127 cases of cleft lip & or palate were interviewed. Data was analysed to evaluate the prevalence of different factors leading to development of cleft lip and palate. Results: There was more female predilection, cleft palate was more common in females. Unilateral and left sided clefts were more common. 63% cases were socioeconomically below poverty line, consanguineous marriages accounted to 12.6%. 15% of the mothers reported passive smoking through a family member during pregnancy and 44% mothers reported usage of chulha for cooking. 70.8% mothers reported use of multi-vitamins and folic acid supplementation during pregnancy and 52% mothers gave a history of polished rice consumption during pregnancy. Conclusion: Maternal active smoking, passive smoking, consanguineous marriages, polished rice consumption should be discouraged. Use of clean-burning cookstoves, multi-vitamins and folic acid supplementation, genetic counselling should be encouraged. Patient-centric solutions should be implemented for the prevention and management of cleft cases.