Birth Weight in Infants with a Cleft Lip and/or Palate: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
Ioanna Ormanidou, Sara Kinter, Donna M Denno et al.
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In 30 seconds
This systematic review and meta-analysis examined birth weight in infants with cleft lip and/or palate, including differences by cleft type, comorbidity status, and country income status. Sixty-three studies were included; 39 reported mean birth weight for 25,991 infants. The unadjusted mean was 3143g (95% CI: 3056, 3231), rising to 3405g (95% CI: 3285, 3525) after adjustment for cleft type, comorbidity, and country income. Adjusted birth weight did not differ by cleft type, while lower estimates were observed with comorbidities and in low- or middle-income countries.
Key findings
- Across 25,991 infants, unadjusted mean birth weight was 3143g (95% CI: 3056, 3231).
- Adjusted mean birth weight was 3405g (95% CI: 3285, 3525) after accounting for cleft type, comorbidity, and country income.
- Lower birth weight estimates were observed for infants with comorbidities and those in low- or middle-income countries.
- Adjusted birth weight did not differ by cleft type.
Why it matters
The findings suggest that cleft type alone does not explain differences in birth weight, whereas comorbidity and country income status are relevant correlates. The authors highlight postnatal growth monitoring, feeding, and nutritional support as important considerations for infants with cleft, extending attention beyond birth weight to growth after delivery.
What to keep in mind
The review synthesised observational estimates from included studies; the abstract does not report adjustment for factors beyond cleft type, comorbidity, and country income status.