Risk factors associated with cleft lip and palate birth defects in Jordan: A retrospective case-controlled study

Abstract

Aim: The study investigated the role of different factors could increase the potential risk factors of children with cleft lip and palate defects in the Jordanian population. Materials and Methods: Design: A case-control study where questionnaire used to assess different variables including environmental and medical factors. Setting: online questionnaire sent to mothers of children visiting Al-Karak Hospital, AL- Bashir Hospital and some charities delivering services to Children with CL/P. Study Duration: the study started from January 2021 and concluded in January 2022. Participants: questionnaire was answered by 100 mothers of children suffered CL/P (case group), and by 100 mothers of healthy children (control group). Results: The results were analysed in relation to the relative risk of each variable in order to estimate the odds ratio with a confidence interval of 95%. The analyses revealed that: family history of CL/P (OR= 4.91), Consanguinity marriage (OR= 3.29), previous illness of the mother (OR= 2.45), and maternal smoking (OR=1.09) are significantly increased risk factors for cleft lip or palate. However, the effect of taking folic acid or multivitamins showed no significant differences (OR= 0.68, p = 0.24). Conclusion: Risk factors associated with CL/P in the studied population are almost the same with those described in the previous related studies. Therefore, this study advised all healthcare givers to educate the public about these factors as the same factors related to other congenital problems.