Internationally adopted children with cleft lip and/or palate: A retrospective cohort study

Publication date: Available online 23 April 2017
Source:Journal of Plastic, Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgery
Author(s): C.L. Werker, H. de Wilde, Mink van der Molen, C.C. Breugem
ObjectiveThe treatment approach for internationally adopted children with cleft lip and/or palate differs from locally born children with cleft lip and/or palate. They are older at initial presentation, may have had treatment abroad of different quality and are establishing new, still fragile relationships with their adoptive parents. The aim of this study was to describe the characteristics and initial care and treatment of this group.MethodsA retrospective cohort study was performed including all internationally adopted children with cleft lip and/or palate presenting to the cleft team outpatient clinics in the Wilhelmina Children's Hospital between January 1994 and December 2014. Medical record for all patients were reviewed, information concerning demographic, characteristics at initial presentation and treatment were obtained.ResultsA total number of 132 adopted patients were included, 15% had cleft lip, 7% had cleft palate and 78% had cleft lip and palate. The average age at the time of adoption was 26.5 months. In most cases China was the country of origin. Seventy-eight percent had surgery in their country of origin, primarily lip repair. Fistulae in need of revision surgery were found in 8% of the patients. Pharyngoplasty was needed in 48% of the patients, no significant differences were found for mean age at adoption, gender, cleft type and one or two stage palatal closure.ConclusionInternationally adopted children with cleft lip and/or palate are a very diverse group of patients with challenging treatment. These children undergo surgery late and frequently need additional surgery.



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