Assessment of orofacial dysfunction in a group of Polish children with unilateral cleft lip and palate: A preliminary report.

BACKGROUND

Cleft lip and palate (CLP) is a genetic and environmental malformation of the face. The resulting interruption of the tissue in the mouth and nasal cavity undoubtedly impairs basic physiological functions, which impacts the quality of life (Qol) of such patients.

OBJECTIVES

To assess orofacial dysfunction using the Nordic Orofacial Test-Screening (NOT-S) in a group of Polish children with unilateral CLP (UCLP). The following hypotheses were presented: 1) orofacial dysfunction is more common in children with UCLP and 2) patients with UCLP have a worse QoL than the control group.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Seventy children at the age of 7-13 years took part in the study. The inclusion criterion was a diagnosis of UCLP. The control group (non-UCLP) was matched by gender and age to the cleft group. The research used the NOT-S questionnaire.

RESULTS

In the cleft group, there were statistically significantly more disorders of functions, such as breathing, chewing and swallowing, and drooling; in the NOT-S examination, there were more disorders of the face at rest, facial expression and speech in the cleft group. Comparing the NOT-S total scores, it was found that in the cleft group, there a disorder of at least 1 function was statistically significantly more prevalent than in the control group. Likewise, the median results in the cleft group were 3 points higher than in the control group.

CONCLUSIONS

Using the NOT-S survey, it was possible to confirm both hypotheses. Orofacial dysfunction is more common in children with UCLP and this contributes to a worse QoL for them than for children without UCLP.