Quality of Life in School-Age Children With Orofacial Clefts and Their Families

Nonsyndromic orofacial clefts might affect family functioning and probably reduce the quality of life in school-age children and their parents. One hundred seventy consecutive Children with orofacial clefts between 8 and 12 years and their families were asked to answer the Impact on Family Scale and KINDL. The results were compared with the quality of life in an age- and sex-matched group of unaffected schoolchildren. One hundred thirty-two families participated in this study. Family functioning was found superior in families with children with cleft lip than in families with children with cleft palate only or cleft lip and palate. Sex had no significant influence on family functioning. The quality of life in schoolchildren with orofacial clefts was found superior to the control group. Reductions were observed in children with cleft lip and palate in the dimensions "family" and "friends," indicating problems in the social field. Boys with orofacial clefts experienced a lower quality of life than girls. Children with cleft lip and palate and cleft palate only experienced a lower quality of life than children with cleft lip. Even years after successful cleft reconstruction, coping and mastering the diagnosis of orofacial cleft is a relevant concern for affected families. Several limitations of the quality of life in schoolchildren were identified, mostly affecting their social role.