Abstract
To explore the factors related to the development of cleft lip and/or palate, a case-control study was attempted, based on 194 cases and 194 controls.
Cases were incident cases born alive in five areas from April, 1978 to September, 1981. Controls were selected from normal infants in five major hospitals; matched for residence, sex, birth order and maternal age at birth. Epidemiologic information was collected by direct interview of mothers, using a questionnaire designed particulaly for this study.
Major findings of interest are as follows:
(1) Seasonal frequency of birth, birth place, gestational period, and presentation were not significantly different between cases and controls.
(2) Mean birth weight and mean head circumference at birth were also not significantly different between cases and controls.
(3) On an average, cases were significantly shorter at birth than controls in both sexes. Mean chest circumferences at birth in males were also much smaller in cases than in controls.
(4) Among maternal episodes during early pregnancy, X-ray irradiation history and drinking habits of alcoholic beverages were similar between cases and controls.
(5) Mothers had suffered from diseases and ingested drugs more often in cases than in controls, with statistical significance. Smoking mothers were also significantly more prevalent in cases.
