SOCIODEMOGRAPHIC PROFILE OF CHILDREN WITH CLEFT LIP AND PALATE TREATED AT LAURO WANDERLEY UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL FROM 2005 TO 2010

Abstract

Objective: To outline the socio-demographic profile of children with cleft lip and palate treated at a reference service in Paraiba state during a five-year period. Material and Methods: This was a retrospective, exploratory and descriptive study. A total of 876 medical charts were consulted, of which 482 composed the sample. Only readable charts were included from children aged 3 to 12 years, treated at the Palate Cleft Service in Lauro Wanderley University Hospital, from January 2005 to December 2010, upon signing of informed consent term by their legal guardian. A semi-structured form was used and the data were submitted to SPSS. The chi-square association test and the Fisher’s exact test were used, with a 5% significance level. Results: As to the yearly number of diagnoses, 2010 had the lowest incidence of cleft lip and palate, accounting for 12.6% of the sample. Post-foramen fissure was the most prevalent condition (55.4%), with a slight predominance in males (57.4%). Regarding the sanitary macro-regions, there was a higher prevalence of cases in the east area of Paraíba state (40.6%) and corresponding metropolitan regions (30.5%). A total of 297 individuals (61.6%) were living in urban areas; 66.1% of them had basic sanitation, and 61.2% had family income between 1 and 2 minimum wages. Conclusion: Post-foramen clefts were more prevalent in male children, Caucasians. The majority of the sample were originated from the middle region of the eastern state and had low family income. DESCRIPTORS: Epidemiology. Cleft Palate. Pediatric Dentistry