The impact of cleft lip and palate on the quality of life of young children: A scoping review.

INTRODUCTION

Cleft lip and palate (CL/P) are among the most common congenital abnormalities. The purpose of the present study was to review the literature relating to the quality of life (QoL) in young patients with cleft lip and/or palate (CL/P) and to identify the specific aspect of QoL in young patients with CL/P that is mostly affected. Other associated variables within studies that may have an impact on QoL were also identified.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Systematic searches of PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science databases were conducted. Independent reviewers screened the title, abstract and full texts according to predetermined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Articles published in English from January 2012 to March 2022 reporting the QoL of non-syndromic young patients aged 7-18 years with CL/P were included. Review articles and articles reporting the psychological adjustment of parents or other family members with CL/P were excluded.

RESULTS

975 publications were identified, of which 20 studies met our inclusion criteria. The majority of studies reported that the CL/P condition has a negative impact on the QoL. Psychological health, functional well-being, socialemotional well-being and school environment are domains that are affected. Compared with typically developing young patients, those with CL/P had lower QoL scores even though QoL was assessed using different instruments across studies. The impact of CL/P on overall QoL scores varied by age but not gender or cleft type.

CONCLUSION

Our reviews had shown the presence of CL/P negatively affects the QoL of young patients. Psychological health is the most affected QoL domain. Understanding the impacted domain will help in planning and delivering better health care for individuals with CL/P and reducing the stigma commonly associated with CL/P. Future studies should target intervention on psychological health and consider resilience factors towards positive adjustment.