Assessment of maternal risk factors in neonates with cleft lip palate in rural India

Abstract

Objective: To assess the maternal risk factors in cleft lip and/or palate. Methods: All mothers who delivered babies from September 2011 to august 2016 with cleft lip palate were included in the study. Risk factors like maternal religion, age, socioeconomic status, parity, consanguinity, smoking either active and/or passive, infections during first trimester of pregnancy, any teratogen used in first trimester of pregnancy, folic acid intake during first trimester, pre pregnant BMI or first trimester BMI and Hemoglobin status in first trimester were evaluated. Results: 59 mothers were enrolled for this study. 91% were aged below 30 years, 67% were belonging to low socioeconomic status, 34% had consanguineous marriage, 10% were exposed for smoking, 91.5% were anemic. Conclusion: In our study anaemia is the most important risk factor followed by low socioeconomic status for cleft lip and /or palate which if modified will significantly reduce this malformation.