Prevalence and Incidence of Cleft Lip and/or Palate in Europe: A Scoping Review and Meta-Analysis

Objective This study synthesized and described the prevalence and incidence of cleft lip and/or palate (CL/P) reported by different studies in Europe.Design A scoping review was designed according to the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology and an advanced search was conducted using MedLine, Science Direct, and Semantic Scholar without time or language restrictions. Two reviewers extracted data from the articles included.Participants The extracted data included specific details on the type of orofacial cleft, the European regions (Northern Europe, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, and Southern Europe).Main Outcome Measure(s) A meta-analysis was conducted with the data reported for the incidence and prevalence of CL/P.Results A total of 66 studies were obtained reporting from 29 European countries. According to what was obtained from the meta-analysis, a prevalence of cleft lip and palate (CLP) of 0.7/1000 95% CI: (0.6-0.7) births is reported in Europe, followed by cleft palate (CP) and cleft lip (CL) with 0.5/1000 95% CI: (0.4-0.5) and 0.3/1000 95% CI: (0.3-0.4), respectively. A total prevalence of CL/P in Europe is estimated at 1.1/1000 95% CI: (1.0-1.2) between 1950 and 2014. The incidence of CLP is reported to be 0.7/1000 95% CI: (0.6 to 0.8) followed by CP and CL with 0.5/1000 95% CI: (0.5-0.6) and 0.4/1000 95% CI: (0.3-0.4), respectively. The total incidence of CL/P in Europe is estimated at 1.6/1000 95% CI: (1.5-1.7) between 1948 and 2018.Conclusion This review provides a description of the status of the prevalence and incidence of CL/P in Europe and its regions, and can be considered as a guide for the development of promotion and prevention programs.