Epidemiology-clinical Profile of Cleft Lip and Palate among Children in India and Its Surgical Consideration

Cleft lip and palate being most common is congenital deformity and also present with many syndrome condition. Child with CL/P face difficulty in early breast feeding due to improper lip seal and nasal regurgitation, thus compromising nutrition of new born. Patient with oro-facial cleft deformity needs to be treated at right time and at right age to achieve functional and esthetic wellbeing. The treatment process is complex, multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary approach. India lack in proper reporting and registry of child with cleft and also fail to provide full professional team of experts in common center. Thus is its difficult to get true incidence and prevalence of congenital birth defects as well as provide centralize treatment facilities. Etiology of CL/P multiple and it may due to association of various environmental factors. India being vast in diversity in culture, ethnicity and dynamic genetic pool, there is variation in occurrence of congenital birth defect in different states of India. Post-surgical early complications of cleft lip and palate repair are respiratory obstruction, wound infection, bleeding, and dehiscence. Thus through understanding of defect and proper surgical intervention from team of expertise is needed. Early diagnosis during pregnancy by ultrasonography and stoppage of drugs at time of pregnancy can reduce the risk of child birth with oro-facial cleft. India needs more efforts and research in field of congenital birth defects.