DOI: 10.4103/africpcj.africpcj_5_26 ISSN: 3117-5880

The Trend in Cleft Phenotypes from Two East African Countries: A 17-year Retrospective Review

Justina Lucy Liliana Geraldine Najjuka, Chinsunum Peace Isamah, Michael Igbigbia Afieharo, Marlene Long, Robert Ssentongo, Joshua Muhanguzi, Brian Agaba
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Abstract

Background:

Orofacial cleft presents a significant challenge to patients and families. These challenges include feeding, psychosocial, and emotional disturbances. Correction of the cleft in a time-appropriate manner is essential in improving the quality of life. However, Africa, especially East Africa is faced with multifactorial challenges such as unavailability of skilled workforce, lack of fund for care, and low awareness on orofacial cleft. The study aims to evaluate the current trend in orofacial clefts in Uganda and Burundi.

Methods:

The study involved all patients with orofacial cleft managed in Uganda and Burundi between 2008 and 2024 by a single surgical team led by the lead author. Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences software version 27. Inferential statistics was at a 95% confidence interval.

Results:

A total of 8022 patients with cleft lip (CL) and/or palate were operated by the team in Uganda and Burundi during the period. Most patients were from Uganda (4823, 60.1%). The male-to-female ratio was 1.2:1. The median age at surgery was 15 months, with an interquartile range of 6–65 months. Males ( P = 0.042) and patients from Burundi ( P = 0.000) were generally older. A steady increase in surgery at younger age was observed in the latter years compared with the earlier part of the study. Over the study period, there was a shift in cleft phenotype distribution, with CL and palate predominating early, followed by a transition to CL alone as the most common presentation ( P = 0.000).

Conclusion:

This study demonstrates the steady increase in cleft surgeries.

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