PRENATAL COUNSELING FOR CLEFT-LIP AND PALATE

Prenatal diagnoses of cleft lip and palate can occur during both routi ne screening obstectrical ultrasound and high resolution obstetrical u ltrasound done for other reasons. The affected family or obstetrician may request prenatal consultation with the plastic surgeon. To define this population, a survey was done of all families who were referred t o our cleft program with a prenatal diagnosis of cleft between 1990 an d 1994. Of 80 newborn referrals, 13 had a prenatal diagnosis of cleft. These children had a higher incidence of bilateral cleft than our ave rage population (53.8 percent versus 28.7 percent, p < 0.03, chi squar e test). No isolated cleft palates were identified. Nine families were available for follow-up. Only one-third of the families felt that the y had been given adequate information about clefts from their obstetri cian or ultrasonographer. All who had prenatal contact with the cleft team felt it was valuable.A review of prenatal diagnosis of cleft is g iven including limitations. Specific counseling information is discuss ed.