Method for assessing hard palate defects in children

Relevance . Cleft lip and palate in children are among the most severe congenital anomalies and represent developmental disorders of the craniofacial region. These conditions disrupt vital functions such as breathing, sucking, swallowing, and speech development. Early and accurate diagnosis of the size and nature of the defect enables timely determination of the appropriate timing for successful surgical interventions at various stages of multidisciplinary rehabilitation. Objective. To develop and implement a clinically applicable method for the quantitative assessment of hard palate defects in children. Materials and methods . A series of anatomical landmark measurements was performed on plaster models of 32 children with congenital clefts of the hard and soft palate, followed by calculation of a defect coefficient. Results . A defect coefficient is proposed to help differentiate the severity of the defect, standardize the diagnostic process, and support individualized treatment planning. Conclusion . The method proved to be highly effective and clinically applicable in craniofacial surgical practice.