Prevalence of Craniofacial Anomalies - 14 Years of Experience in a Brazilian Referral Service

ABSTRACT Objective: To delineate the frequency of congenital craniofacial anomalies (CCAs) in a Brazilian reference center. Material and Methods: A cross-sectional, retrospective epidemiological study was conducted, updating information from the reference center. Data were extracted from the medical records of patients assisted between January 2009 and December 2022 at the Craniofacial Anomalies Rehabilitation Center (Centro Pró-Sorriso) in Alfenas, Brazil. Previous studies were used as a reference for the classification of CCAs. Data were analyzed using statistical software for absolute and relative frequency descriptive analysis. A 95% confidence interval was adopted. Study approved by ethics and research committee. Results: 817 records were analyzed, comprising 53.5% males and 46.5% females. Identified 954 congenital anomalies (CAs); of these, 86.9% of cleft lip and/or palate (CL/P), 16.0% of CAs without CL/P, and 2.8% of syndromes or sequences recognized in the absence of CL/P. The CAS most commonly associated with any CL/P were cardiovascular system anomalies (23%), and the most common CL/P was cleft palate (48.7%). Conclusion: Among the CAs, CL/P was the most prevalent, exhibiting a higher ratio in males. Following CL/P, ear anomalies were the most commonly observed; however, when associated with the presence of any CL/P, cardiovascular system anomalies were more numerous. Regarding the presence of syndromes and/or sequences, Goldenhar Syndrome was more prevalent in cases without an association with clefts.