Unilateral cleft lip/palate children: The incidence of type 6 septal deformities in their parents

SummaryBackgroundThe overall incidence of pathological septal deformity has been found to be significantly higher in unilateral cleft lip/palate (UCLP) children than in control children. Of the seven types of septal deformity according to Mladina's classification, type 6 has been found to be the most frequent in UCLP children, occurring in only 3.7% of the control children.ObjectiveTo investigate the incidence of type 6 septal deformity in the parents of UCLP children.Patients and methodsUCLP children (N = 62) and their parents (N = 91) were examined for type 6 septal deformities.ResultsType 6 was found in at least one parent of a UCLP child in 58% of cases. However, it was not found in the parents whose UCLP children did not show a type 6 septal deformity.ConclusionType 6 septal deformity is almost a rule in children suffering from UCLP. Type 6 was not seen in the parents whose UCLP children did not show a type 6 septal deformity. There is a morphogenetic predisposition for the development of CLP in children whose parents carry a type 6 septal deformity.