8. Antenatal Risk Factors and Orofacial Clefts in Children
Riaz Ahmad, Rizwana Nawaz and Hussain Humayun
ABSTRACT
Objective: To determine the association of various antenatal risk factors in the mothers and the occurrence of orofacial clefts in the offspring’s.
Study Design: Observational / descriptive Study.
Place and Duration of study: This study was conducted at Ayesha Bashir Hospital (Cleft hospital) and Govt. Aziz Bhatti Hospital /NSMC, Gujrat from June to December 2016.
Materials and Methods: This study was done at Ayesha Bashir trust (Cleft hospital) which caters for the diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of the children with orofacial clefts. A particular Performa was made for the identification of association of various antenatal risk factors in the mothers and orofacial clefts in the off springs. The children with minor defects were excluded from the study.
Results: The total no. of the patients was eighty one. There was a little association (1.25%) between the family history and orofacial clefts. Consangineous marriages was the most important factor, about 85% of the parents of the affected children had consanguineous marriages. Regarding the family history only 5% of the siblings were affected. About 3.75% of the affected children were twins. .About 2.5% of the mothers had UTI and abdominal pain. No particular association with any medical disorder was observed in this study .The important association was observed regarding the use of folic acid. About 60% of the parents did not take folic acid during the current pregnancy.
Conclusion: It is concluded in this study that in addition to the other risk factors consanguinity among the parents and lack of intake of folic acid in early pregnancy are the factors increasing the incidence of orofacial clefts in the offspring’s.
Key Words: Orofacial clefts, Antenatal, Cleft lip and Palate, Consanguineous, Folic acid.
Citation of articles: Ahmad R, Nawaz R, Humayun H. Antenatal Risk Factors and Orofacial Clefts in Children. Med Forum 2017;28(9):28-31.