BACKGROUND

Oralfacial clefting (OFC) disorders require expedient evaluation and treatment to obtain optimal outcome. In Florida, there is a statewide program targeted to the care of infants with OFC. We therefore sought to determine statewide referral and treatment patterns of children born with OFC identified through the Florida Birth Defects Registry.

METHODS

Using data for 1996 and 1997 and ICD-9 CM codes 749.00 - 749.25, we identified 539 OFC cases. All cases were matched with the evaluation and treatment records of the statewide Children's Medical Services' (CMS) craniofacial centers (CFC) and cleft palate clinics (CPC). The likelihood of CMS contact was examined with respect to demographic and other descriptive data characterizing the OFC cases.

RESULTS

42% (227/539) of OFC cases were evaluated at or known to the CFC or CPC. Children with cleft lip and palate were more likely to have had contact than were those with cleft lip or cleft palate alone. The CFC and CPC programs were most likely to provide evaluation between age 2 months and 3 years. Of 12 counties with occurrences of more than 15 OFC cases, 2 had significantly lower contact rates, suggesting possible problems in accessibility or reporting of services.

CONCLUSIONS

Statewide Birth Defect Registry data can be used in collaboration with statewide treatment programs to gain insight into referral patterns and provision of services. Factors influencing access to services and quality of care, though not addressed by this study, could be prospectively incorporated into such a project.