FACIAL CLEFTS IN SIBS AND CHILDREN OF EPILEPTIC PATIENTS

The prevalence of facial clefts in sibs and children of 2,072 epileptics ascertained in a defined region was determined by record linkage with a national cleft register, which also provided expected figures. Observed/expected ratios were increased only cleft lip with or without cleft palate if the mother had manifested epilepsy: it was 4.7 when anticonvulsants were given before and during pregnancy, 2.7 in cases with no treatment, and zero in children born prior to maternal epilepsy. Children of epileptic men and sibs of epileptics showed no increase. The prevalence of isolated cleft palate was not above expectation in any group.