Incidence of Orofacial Clefts in Kumasi, Ghana

Abstract

Background . Cleft lip and cleft palate are among the most common orofacial congenital anomalies. This study is to establish Orofacial Clefts Database for Kumasi, Ghana, with a view to extend it to other cities in future to obtain a national orofacial anomaly database. Methods . A descriptive prospective survey was carried out at eleven selected health facilities in Kumasi. Results . The total number of live births recorded was 27,449. Orofacial anomalies recorded were 36, giving an incidence of 1.31/1000 live births or 1 in 763 live births. The mean maternal age of cleft lip/palate babies was 29.85 years (range 18–40 years). The male : female ratio for the orofacial anomalies babies was 1.3 : 1; the male : female ratio was 0.5 : 1 in the cleft lip group, 1.3 : 1 in the cleft lip and palate group, and 4 : 1 in the cleft palate group. The majority of clefts were unilateral (69.4%, n = 25 ), with females ( n = 14 ) outnumbering males ( n = 11 ). A family history of cleft was recorded with five babies (13.9%). Associated congenital anomalies were recorded in seven (19.4%) cleft lips and/or palates. Conclusion . The incidence of 1 in 763 live births found in this study indicates that cleft lip/palate is a common congenital anomaly in Kumasi.