Objectives: To compare palatal growth changes in infants with complete unilateral (UCLP) or bilateral (BCLP) cleft lip and palate during the first year of life.
Materials and methods: Upper dental arches of 68 neonates with UCLP and BCLP were evaluated using 2D and 3D morphometry based on dental casts obtained in two age categories (T0 before early neonatal cheiloplasty-UCLP 4 ± 3 days, BCLP 6 ± 5 days; T1 before palatoplasty-UCLP 10 ± 2 months, BCLP 12 ± 3 months).
Results: Intensive palatal growth was manifested in both directions of the palate. Palatal growth in the anterior direction was not restricted, despite the intercanine (CC´) and anterior (LL´) widths being significantly narrowed in the BCLP group (CC´ p = 0.019, LL´ p = 0.009). The posterior dental arches were significantly enlarged (UCLP p ≤ 0.001; BCLP p ≤ 0.001). The negative effect of cleft severity on palatal length was not confirmed (p = 0.802). Variability of the palate was immense mainly in BCLP infants (T0); however, it decreased in both cleft types, confirming the formative effect of palatal growth leading to alveolar cleft closure (UCLP p ≤ 0.001; BCLP p = 0.006 on the right, 0.005 on the left).
Conclusions: Both analyzed cleft groups (UCLP, BCLP) grew favorably during the first year of life, and the palatal growth was not limited in any direction.
Clinical relevance: Geometric morphometry allowed a comprehensive analysis of the palate, which can contribute to the improvement of surgical methods.
Keywords: Bilateral cleft lip and palate; Classic morphometry; Early neonatal cheiloplasty; Geometric morphometry; Unilateral cleft lip and palate; Upper dental arches.