Abstract :
Introduction: Orofacial clefts (OFC) encompass a variety of disorders impacting the lips and oral cavity. As a multifactorial condition, OFC is influenced by both genetic and environmental risk factors. Children affected by OFC require multidisciplinary care from birth through 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.Materials and 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 a general tendency for females to be more affected, with cleft palate being more commonly observed 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 marriage, 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 such cases.
Keyword :
Cleft lip and palate, Passive smoking, Consanguineous marriage, Chulha smoke