Profile of Oral Cleft Cases Reported in the Philippine Oral Cleft Registry from May 2003 to December 2006

Abstract

The Philippine Oral Cleft Registry (POCR), an initiative of the Philippine

Oral Cleft Registry Study Group (POCRSG), was launched in May 2003.

The study group is composed of the Institute of Human Genetics (IHG)

- National Institutes of Health, University of the Philippines Manila; the

Philippine Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons

Inc. (PAPRAS); the Philippine Society of Otolaryngology - Head and

Neck Surgery (PSO-HNS); Operation Smile Philippines Foundation Inc.

(OSPF); and the Philippine Band of Mercy (PBM). The general objective

of the POCRSG is to implement the POCR for patients with oral clefts

(cleft lip and/or palate). The specific objectives are: 1) to establish the

incidence of oral clefts in the Philippines; 2) to describe the different

variants of oral clefts; 3) to identify the possible risk factors for oral

clefts; and 4) to identify the regional distribution of patients with oral

clefts. From May 2003 to December 2006, the POCR recorded a total

of 2,324 cases representing a prevalence of 0.42 per 1000 livebirths [or

1:2367 livebirths] using an estimated birth rate of 1.5 million babies

a year assuming full ascertainment. This observed rate is probably

an underestimate of the true prevalence of oral clefts in the country.

The POCRSG actively coordinates with both government and non

government organizations sponsoring oral cleft surgical missions

to actively participate in the registry. By doing so, a more accurate

prevalence can be established in the Philippines.