Craniofacial Growth in Children With Unilateral Cleft Lip and Palate: Adopted From China Versus Born in Sweden

Abstract

Objective: In 2005, the number of internationally adopted children (IAC) with cleft lip and palate (CLP) from China increased globally, followed by an increase in the number of surgical complications. The aim was therefore to evaluate the craniofacial growth of children with unilateral CLP adopted from China and compare with non-adopted peers (NA). Methods: Cephalograms taken at 10 and 13 were analysed for the SNA, SNB, ANB, NAPg and NSBa angles. Surgical data were extracted from the medical records. Results: The rate of secondary cleft-related surgery including secondary alveolar bone grafting (SABG) was higher in the IAC group than in the native groups. At age 10, the IAC exhibited higher SNB and NAPg and lower ANB values than the NA-Mod group and a similar pattern was observed at age 13. The IAC group demonstrated significantly lower SNA and ANB and higher NAPg values than the NA-Orig group at age 10. At age 13, lower SNA and ANB and higher SNB, NAPg, and NSBa values were observed in the IAC group compared with the NA-Orig group. Limitations: Craniofacial growth is not finalized at age 13 years, why additional studies are needed to determine long-term outcomes. Conclusions: Results from this novel study present unfavorable craniofacial growth at age 10 and 13 years of age among IAC with UCLP and indicate an increased need for future orthognathic surgery compared with NA peers.