Prenatal detection of associated anomalies in fetuses diagnosed with cleft lip with or without cleft palatein utero

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the prenatal detection rate of associated anomalies in fetuses with a suspected cleft lip with or without cleft palate. METHODS: Fetuses with a suspected cleft lip with or without cleft palate, determined by prenatal ultrasound, were prospectively enrolled. Additional anomalies suspected by ultrasound or genetic testing were recorded. Postnatal outcome was obtained. RESULTS: Forty-five fetuses with a cleft lip with or without cleft palate, diagnosed prenatally with either two-dimensional and/or three-dimensional ultrasound, were studied. Postnatal follow-up revealed that 16 (35.6%) of these 45 fetuses had an additional structural or syndromic abnormality. Of the 37 fetuses with prenatally determined 'isolated' cleft lip with or without cleft palate, eight (21.6%) had an additional malformation identified after delivery. CONCLUSION: In pregnancies complicated by a cleft lip with or without cleft palate, patients should be informed of the risks of associated anomalies, some of which may be undetected prenatally.