Comparative study between children with and without cleft lip and cleft palate, part 1: Cephalometric analysis

Objective: This study was conducted to compare craniofacial relationships, position, and curvature of the cervical spine between children with cleft l ip and cleft palate who had been operated on and children without clefts. Method: This study was performed in 28 children with mixed dentition, They were divided into two groups. The study group included 14 children with uni lateral operated cleft lip and cleft palate, ranging in age from 6 to 12 ye ars, who clinically presented with a short upper lip, abnormal lip seal, an d inhibition of sagittal development of the midface that was radiographical ly assessed. The control group included 14 children without clefts, ranging in age from 8 to 11 years. All of them had normal lip seal, nasal breathin g, and a clinically normal body posture. Design: A lateral craniocervical radiograph in a self-balanced natural head position in an erect posture, and without using a head holder, was taken f or each child of both groups, with the mandible in maximum intercuspation a nd lips in habitual posture. The true vertical was marked on all the films. Specific angular and linear dimensions were used to assess the craniocervi cal relationships, as were the position of the cervical spine, its curvatur e, or both. Results and Conclusions: The study group presented a significant increase i n the extension of the head on the neck, forward position of the cervical s pine, and a decrease in the curvature of the cervical spine in comparison w ith the children without clefts. These results are more relevant considerin g that the study group also presented higher significant values of lower fa cial height than children without clefts.