Quantitative and Qualitative Segmental Surface Growth in Infants with Unilateral Cleft Lip and Palate: A Prospective In Vivo Study

TL;DR

This study examines how the upper jaw grows in infants with a cleft lip and palate, revealing different growth patterns in two segments.

Contribution

The study provides new insights into the distinct quantitative and qualitative growth patterns of maxillary segments in infants with UCLP.

Findings

The large maxillary segment showed greater absolute growth compared to the small segment.

The small segment exhibited a higher percentage increase in surface area over time.

A positive correlation was found between surface area growth and length increase in the small segment.

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Patients with unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP) require a phase of infant orthopedic treatment prior to surgical cleft closure. Treatment planning in this phase necessitates a thorough understanding of maxillary growth dynamics in this period. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the quantitative and qualitative surface growth of maxillary segments in infants with UCLP. Materials and Methods: In total, 195 intraoral scans from 50 patients were obtained postnatal (T0), at monthly intervals (T1–5), and prior to surgical cleft closure at 6 months of age (T6). Surface, linear, and angle measurements of the maxillary segments were performed. Results: Significant increases in the total surface area and the surface areas of the small and large segments were observed at monthly intervals and over the overall duration. The large segment showed greater absolute growth (11.62 mm2 per month, 46.57 mm2 total), while the small segment had a higher percentage increase (1.49% monthly, 6.57% overall). A positive small correlation was observed between surface area growth changes in the small segment and its increase in length. Conclusions: Our results revealed distinct growth patterns of the large and small segments in amount and direction, underscoring the relevance of incorporating segment arch width in surface evaluations.

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