Ear Infection in Isolated Cleft Lip: Etiological Implications

Abstract

Background and Hypothesis Chronic ear infections are a common occurrence in children with orofacial clefts involving the secondary palate. Less is known about the middle ear status of individuals with isolated clefts of the lip, although several studies have reported elevated rates of ear infection in this group. The purpose of this retrospective study was to test the hypothesis that chronic ear infections occur more frequently in isolated cleft lip cases (n=94) compared with controls (n=183). Methods A questionnaire was used to obtain information on history of chronic ear infection. The association between ear infection status (present/absent) and cleft lip status (cleft lip case/control) was tested using both chi-square and logistic regression. Results and Conclusions The reported occurrence of chronic ear infection was significantly greater in cleft lipcases (31%) compared to unaffected controls (11%). After adjusting for age and sex, having a cleft lip increased the odds of being positive for ear infection by a factor greater than three (OR=3.698; 95%CI=1.91–7.14). Within cleft lipcases, there was no difference in the occurrence of ear infection by defect laterality or by the type of clefting present in the family history. Although velopharyngeal insufficiency was present in 18.4% of our cleft lip sample, there was no statistical association between ear infection and abnormal speech patterns. These results may have potential implications both for the clinical management of isolated cleft lip cases and for understanding the etiology of orofacial clefting.

Oropharyngeal Dysbiosis Affects Postoperative Tissue Reparative Capacity In Patients With Congenital Disorders Of Maxillofacial Region

“…This finding was consistent with the literature data [24,26,32]. Hence, we can confirm the severity of congenital disorder of the maxillofacial region that directly affects the state of local microbiota [26,34].…”

Glue Ear in Children with Cleft Lip and Palate: An Update

“…Children with CLP may suffer recurrent or continuous OME, which can lead to atelectasis, ossicular fixation, and/or tympanosclerosis [3,33,34]. The risk of chronic ear infection may be higher even in children with isolated cleft lip cases compared with unaffected controls [35]. The ear problems can result in conductive hearing loss of up to 30 decibels (dB).…”

Middle Ear Disorders Among Cleft Lip and Palate in Children: A Conjoint Exposition

“…Interestingly though only one case of cleft lip was affected in our study, in a study by Ruegg et al, 31% of cleft lip cases had ear infection compared to 11% controls. 19 Flynn et al, also reported significantly lower prevalence of MEDs in CP. 7 In present study MEDs were more common in non-operated cases (46 out of 51) compared to operated cases (24 out of 49) who underwent surgical repair of cleft lip and palate and association was significant with p<0.001.…”