Epidemiology of perinatal cleft lip and/or cleft palate in Zhuhai, Guangdong, 2008-2011

Objective To learn about the epidemiological characteristics of perinatal cleft lip and/or cleft palate in Zhuhai from 2008 to 2011. Methods The analysis was conducted on the incidence data of perinatal cleft lip and/or cleft palate in Zhuhai during this period, which were collected from the birth defects surveillance system in Zhuhai. Results The total incidence of perinatal cleft lip and/or cleft palate was 21.77/10 000. The differences on the annual incidences were not statistically significant and the differences on the sex specific and mother age specific incidences were not statistically significant. The incidence in urban area was higher than that in rural area. Up to 40.50% of the defect infants died during perinatal period. Conclusion The annual incidence of perinatal cleft lip and/or cleft palate was high but remained to be stable in Zhuhai. It is necessary to conduct tertiary prevention of perinatal cleft lip and/or cleft palate by taking comprehensive measures.