Additional post-natal diagnoses following antenatal diagnosis of isolated cleft lip +/− palate. Issue 4 (13th March 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Burnell, Lindsay; Verchere, Cynthia; Pugash, Denise; Loock, Christine; Robertson, Sandra; Lehman, Anna
• Is Part Of: Archives of disease in childhood. Volume 99:Issue 4(2014)
• Page Start: F286
• Page End: F290
• Publication Date: 2014-03-13
• Subjects: Infants -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Newborn infants -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Fetus -- Diseases -- Periodicals; 618.920105
• DOI: 10.1136/archdischild-2013-305390
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1359-2998

Abstract

Abstract : Introduction: Cleft lip with or without palate (CLP) can be diagnosed antenatally through ultrasound, and may be categorised as apparently isolated versus associated with other malformations. Limited data exist on the long-term outcomes following antenatal diagnosis of apparently isolated CLP. Aim: This study examined the long-term post-natal outcomes of CLP when found in isolation antenatally, in order to determine the rates of unexpected additional anomalies, developmental delay or genetic syndromes. Patients and methods: A retrospective chart review of antenatal and post-natal medical charts was completed for a ten-year period between January 2000 and December 2009. At least 2 years of available post-natal clinical information was required for inclusion in the study. Results: A total of 97 cases of antenatally isolated CLP were ascertained. Fifteen pregnancies were terminated. Follow-up data were available for 81 liveborns, though 4 were lost to follow-up prior to 2 years of age. Twelve of the 77 children meeting study criteria were identified to have other major malformations and/or developmental disability either later in the pregnancy or post-natally. Findings included familial clefting syndromes, trisomy 21, autism spectrum disorders, brain malformations, fetal alcohol syndrome and Kabuki syndrome, among other findings. Another 11 children had additional anomalies of minor impact. Examples of findings include a perimembranous ventricular septal defect, mild unilateral optic nerve hypoplasia, mild pulmonary artery stenosis with a small atrial septal defect, and transient delays in fine and gross motor skills. No children with clefting of the lip only had major additional diagnoses. Conclusions: The frequency of an associated complex developmental disorder following an otherwise reassuring fetal ultrasound is around 15%. A few diagnoses could be suspected at the antenatal assessment based on family history or exposures. Our study is lacking comprehensive assessment on the yield of genomic microarray testing for this population.