# The Influence of Sidedness in Unilateral Cleft Lip and Palate on Mid Facial Growth at Five Years of Age

## TL;DR

This study investigates whether children with left or right-sided cleft lip and palate show differences in facial growth by age five.

## Contribution

The study explores potential differences in facial growth outcomes based on the side of the cleft in children with unilateral cleft lip and palate.

## Key findings

- Children with left-sided clefts had a higher proportion of good growth scores compared to right-sided clefts.
- The difference in growth scores between left and right-sided clefts was not statistically significant.
- Further analysis with older growth indices is needed to confirm growth differences.

## Abstract

To determine whether facial growth at five years is different for children with a left versus right sided cleft lip and palate.

Retrospective cohort study.

Seven UK regional cleft centres.

Patients born between 2000-2014 with a complete unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP).

5-Year-Old's Index scores.

378 children were included. 256 (68%) had a left sided UCLP and 122 (32%) had a right sided UCLP. 5-Year-Old's index scores ranged from 1 (good) to 5 (poor). There was a higher proportion of patients getting good scores (1 and 2) in left UCLP (43%) compared to right UCLP (37%) but there was weak evidence for a difference (Adjusted summary odds ratio 1.27, 95% CI 0.87 to 1.87; P = .22).

Whilst maxillary growth may be different for left versus right sided UCLP, definitive analysis requires older growth indices and arch forms.