Pattern of cleft lip and palate deformities in Rivers State of Nigeria.

The pattern of congenital cleft lip and/or palate deformities in the Rivers State of Nigeria is being presented. Thirty nine patients seen over four years were retrospectively studied. Similar to the other published African series but unlike the Caucasian series, isolated cleft of the lip was the predominant lesion seen in this study (54%). In contrast, however, to the same African Series the isolated cleft of the palate was only seen in girls (15%). The unusual cleft deformities are highlighted while the significance of associated congenital malformations is examined.