The prevalence of bifid tongue congenital anomaly in riverine areas of south east Nigerian population

Abstract

OBJECTIVETo determine the occurrence of bifid tongue congenital anomaly in riverine areas of south east Nigerian populationMATERIAL AND METHODOne thousand six hundred and forty (1640) newborn babies delivered in selected hospitals, health centers, maternity homes and traditional birth homes between November 2009 and October 2012 were used as sample population for this study. 840 were females and 800 males. The subjects were carefully examined within the first week of delivery for bifid tongue congenital anomaly. Consent was also obtained from the subjects mothers and the ethical clearance for the use of human subjects for experimental purpose was also obtained from ethical committee of Imo State University Nigeria.RESULTSThe result showed that out of the one thousand six hundred and forty (1640) babies examined, sixteen (16) subjects were found with congenital anomalies. The anterior bifid tongue had a prevalence of 0.07% of the studied population and 6.25% of those with congenital lesions.CONCLUSIONThe present study shows that bifid tongue is a very rare congenital anomaly with a prevalence of 0.07%. The maternal health status and familiar history were not contributory to the results of this study but environmental factor may play important role in the etiology which is in support of previous findings. It is therefore imperative that further studies should be conducted to identify the environmental factors that are contributory to the frequency of bifid tongue congenital anomaly.