Characterization of Cleft Lip and Palate Conditions in Guatemala

Comparison of Cleft Lip and Palate Between a United States Tertiary Care Center and a Guatemalan Surgical Mission: A Cohort Study of 629 Pediatric Patients and a Survey of Risk Factors

The purpose of this study is to compare types of and risk factors for cleft lip and palate in a Guatemalan population to a United States population.

Demographic, surgical, and cleft type data from US patients were gathered via chart review of the electronic medical record. Data from Guatemalan patients was gathered orally from patient caregivers in their native language. Consent was also given orally in the caregivers native language. All data was de-identified prior to analysis.

Inclusion Criteria:

• diagnosis of isolated cleft lip and/or palate
• scheduled for cleft-related surgery at either the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia or Smiles for Guatemala during the previously described time frames

Exclusion Criteria:

• diagnosis of a recognized medical syndrome
• medically complex defined as having major medical problems in three or more organ systems
• diagnosis of isolated midline cleft lip
• diagnosis of Tessier facial cleft
• greater than 18 years of age