epidemiology of cleft lip and palate in nigeria: a data-based study

Background and aim: prevalence of cleft lip and palate varies across geographical location, races, and ethnic groups. the global prevalence is 1 per 700 live births. we aim to establish the prevalence, socio-demographic characteristics of patients with an orofacial cleft, and associated deformities in our locality.materials and methods: this was a retrospective study of all the patients with cleft lip (cl), cleft palate (cp), or cleft lip/palate (clp) managed over 12 years (2009 to 2020). a uniform smile train® structured intervieweradministered questionnaire completed by the surgeons was used to obtain relevant information. data were analyzed using spss version 23.results: a total of 280 patients were managed for cleft lip and palate deformities during this period. the estimated total live births during the period were 232,168; a prevalence rate of 0.8 per 1000 live births was thus calculated. the most common type of cleft deformity in our study is clp (61.4%), followed by isolated cp (20.7%) and then cl (17.9%). clp was shown to be more common among males (66.1%). however, isolated cp and cl were more common among females at 67.2% and 56%. the most common associated anomalies were speech (52.8%) and growth retardation (9.6%). the least common was limb anomalies (0.7%).conclusion: our study has generated new knowledge of the epidemiological distribution of orofacial cleft deformities in our subregion made possible by the smile train® database. it will enable more comprehensive management of orofacial clefts.