Benefits seen for velopharyngeal insufficiency at 5 years of age<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n
By Lori Solomon HealthDay Reporter<\/b><\/p>\n
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WEDNESDAY, Aug. 30, 2023 (HealthDay News) — Medically fit infants who underwent primary surgery for isolated cleft palate in adequately resourced settings at 6 months of age were less likely to have velopharyngeal insufficiency at 5 years of age versus those who had surgery at 12 months of age, according to a study published in the Aug. 31 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine<\/em>.<\/p>\n Carrol Gamble, Ph.D., from University of Liverpool in the United Kingdom, and colleagues randomly assigned (1:1) infants with nonsyndromic isolated cleft palate to undergo standardized primary surgery at 6 months of age or at 12 months of age for closure of the cleft. The analysis included 558 infants treated at 23 centers across Europe and South America.<\/p>\n The researchers found insufficient velopharyngeal function at 5 years of age in 21 of 235 infants (8.9 percent) in the 6-month group versus 34 of 226 (15.0 percent) in the 12-month group (risk ratio, 0.59; P = 0.04). Postoperative complications were infrequent and similar between the groups. Three serious adverse events were reported in the 6-month group versus one in the 12-month group.<\/p>\n Additional benefits of early surgery include canonical babbling, hearing sensitivity, and middle-ear function at 1 year of age, the authors write. Risks associated with earlier repair may include maxillary arch constriction and the need for secondary surgery for velopharyngeal insufficiency. <\/p>\n Abstract\/Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)<\/a><\/p>\n Editorial (subscription or payment may be required)<\/a><\/p>\n <\/i><\/p>\n