Evaluation of Parental Nasomaxillary Asymmetry as a Risk Factor for Development of Palatal Clefts in their Offsprings

Background and Objectives : It has been suggested previously that increased width of midfacial structure is associated with the development of palatal clefting. One of the most important heritable characteristics predisposing towards the development of orofacial clefting in an embryo is craniofacial morphology. The aim of the study was to compare nasomaxillary width of parents of children with unilateral complete cleft lip alveolus and palate with parents of noncleft children. Methods : 25 biologic parent sets of children with unilateral complete cleft lip alveolus and palate and 25 biologic parents of noncleft children were included in this study for PA cephalometric analysis. Results : There was no statistically significant difference between study and control groups. An association was found between the side of the cleft in the affected children and the parents in the same side with narrower nasomaxillary width. Interpretation and conclusion : The result of this study was in contrast with other previous studies. We observed a narrower nasomaxillary width, which suggested that this feature may be of morphogenetic importance in the etiopathogenesis of orofacial clefting in this geographic and ethnic group.