Facial cleft and associated anomalies: incidence among infants at a Jordanian medical centre

Abstract

To estimate incidence of cleft lip and cleft palate among Jordanian infants and to identify associated anomalies, we carried out a prospective, hospital-based study over a 5-year period, January 2000-January 2005. The total number of liveborn infants was 25 440, 60 of whom [‎2.4/1000]‎ had facial clefts: 20 [‎33%]‎ with cleft lip, 15 [‎25%]‎ with cleft palate and 25 [‎42%]‎ with both. Congenital heart disease was the commonest associated anomaly [‎47%]‎ identified, followed by skeletal abnormalities [‎13%]‎. Renal anomalies were found in 10% of cases. The high prevalence of congenital heart disease may justify routine echocardiography screening. The high consanguineous marriage rate may be a contributing factor to the high incidence of cleft anomalies