[ study of geographic distribution and redictable causative factors of cleft lip and palate in a sample of the Syrian Arab community]

ABSTRACT

Cleft lip and plate is one of the most important developmental disorders. Treatment Complexities, poor esthetics, complications, and problems associated with occurance of the cleft show the importance of prevention. Prevention is originally based on knowledge of the risk factors, thus, the aim of this research was to investigate of the most important genetic and environmental causative factors, and geographic distribution of patients. Study sample consisted of 146 patients visited orthodontic department in Damascus University during the academic year 2004-2005, and after reviewing their records, we achieved the required data for statistical analysis. Results of study showed that the highest percentage of patients was in Damascus Province [42.22%], and that smoking during pregnancy and alcohol consumption and psychological factors and pollution are considered important risk factors, while age of pregnant mother is not considerd as an important risk factor. We can conclude from this study that the role of environmental factors was more important than genetical factors