Two Dimensional Photographic Comparison of Cranioacial Morphology of Parents of Children with Cleft Lip and Palate with Parents of Children without Cleft Lip and Palate

Introduction Literature studies have inferred that if facial shape is genetically determined and predisposed to cleft anomaly, then parents of children with cleft lip and palate (CL/P) should have facial dimensions different from those of general population. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the morphological features of unaffected parents of children with CL/P, and compare them with those of parents with non-cleft children, in rural Vidarbha region, with the help of facial photographs. Aim and objectives To assess and compare facial morphological features in parents of non-syndromic cleft lip and palate children with parents of children without cleft lip and palate using two-dimensional photography. Method Total 20 pairs of unaffected parents selected and were divided equally into 1) Experimental group (n=10 pairs) - Unaffected parents of children with non-syndromic CL/P, and 2) Control group (n=10 pairs) - Unaffected parents of children without CL/CP. Total ten linear parameters were accessed to check significant finding. Comparisons were also made between males and females of both groups. Results The result of above study suggested of wider frontoparietal, wider endocanthion and byzygomatic width in males and increased mid and lower face height in females. Conclusion The facial morphological features of unaffected parents of children with non-syndromic CL/P were found to be distinct from those of unaffected parents of children without orofacial deformities