Unilateral Cleft Lip And Palate Children Research Articles

Dental Arch Relationships of Saudi Children with Unilateral Cleft Lip and Palate.

To determine dental arch relationships of Saudi children born with nonsyndromic complete unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP). This is a retrospective cohort study that comprised dental study models of 74 UCLP Saudi children aged 8-10 years who were recruited from 14 referral cleft centers. All participants had their cleft lip and palate repaired with no history of alveolar bone graft or any orthodontic treatment. Dental arch relationships of UCLP patients were assessed using the Great Ormond Street, London, and Oslo (GOSLON) Yardstick-a clinical tool that categorizes dental relationships of UCLP children into five discrete grades from I to V. The reliability of the rating was assessed with weighted kappa (κ) statistics. Three children (4.1%) had excellent surgical outcomes (grade I), 18 children (24.3%) filled into grade II (good outcome), 22 subjects (29.7%) had grade III (fair outcome), 27 children (36.5%) had grade IV (poor outcome), and 4 subjects (5.4%) were ranked as having very poor outcomes (grade V). The mean GOSLON score was 3.39. Intrarater and interrater agreements were high indicating good reproducibility. Based on the dental arch relationships, the treatment outcome of UCLP Saudi children was unsatisfactory, with a mean GOSLON score of 3.39. Delayed palate repair and the use of presurgical orthopedics may be considered in the future for cleft deformity management. To address the effect of particular cleft surgical protocol on dental arch relationships of UCLP patients. How to cite this article: Alforaidi S, Zreaqat M, Hassan R. Dental Arch Relationships of Saudi Children with Unilateral Cleft Lip and Palate. J Contemp Dent Pract 2023;24(12):987-990.

Dental and skeletal maturation of Chinese male children with unilateral cleft lip and palate.

The aim of this study was to determine whether the relationship between dental age (DA), cervical stage (CS) and chronological age (CA) in Chinese male children with unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP) is similar to that of children without clefts. Panoramic and cephalometric radiographs of 105 male UCLP patients, aged from 8 to 16 years, were collected and compared to 210 age-matched healthy control males. The Demirjian and cervical vertebral maturation (CVM) methods were used to visually examine the radiographs and Spearman's correlation analysis was used to identify differences between the two groups with regards to CS, DA and CA. There was a significant positive correlation between DA and CA in both groups and the mean CA-DA difference was significantly higher in children with UCLP when compared to controls (0.319 vs. 0.003, p < 0.05). A significant delay in tooth development was detected in UCLP children from 10 to 12 years-of-age. Both the UCLP and control groups showed high correlations between CS and DA. Calcification stage D appeared only before CS3; however, from CS5 to 6, all teeth have almost completed their maturation phase. Chinese male UCLP patients are likely to experience delayed tooth development compared to healthy controls, especially during the fast-growing period. Evaluating the stages of tooth mineralization could represent a rapid method to assess growth potential.

Comparison of the Upper Pharyngeal Airway in Thai Children With or Without Unilateral Cleft Lip and Palate in the Supine Position

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate differences in the upper pharyngeal airway morphology between Thai children with repaired unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP) and Thai non-cleft children. Methods: This prospective study used cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) and polysomnography (PSG) studies. The subjects were 34 children with UCLP (21 males and 13 females; mean age 8.94±1.87); and 32 non-cleft children (20 males and 12 females; mean age 10.03±1.91). The Dolphin imaging software measured the volume and the most constricted cross-sectional airway (version 11.7 premium). Results: An independent sample t-test showed that the differences between groups were significant. The means of oropharyngeal (p=0.003), hypopharyngeal (p=0.020), and total volume (p=0.013) in UCLP children were lower than those in non-cleft children. Furthermore, the most constricted axial area of the oropharyngeal airway in UCLP children was narrower than that in non-cleft children (p=0.004). Conclusions: The volume and most constricted axial area of the upper pharyngeal airway in Thai UCLP children were significantly smaller than those in Thai non-cleft children

Assessment of Skeletal Maturation in Nonsyndromic Cleft and Non-cleft Children-A Comparative Study.

The study aims to determine the difference in the skeletal maturation of unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP) and non-cleft children. This study also attempts to determine sexual dimorphism in attaining skeletal maturation between UCLP and non-cleft children. This was a retrospective, cross-sectional study. The total sample consisted of the lateral cephalogram of 131 UCLP (62 female and 71 male) children and 500 (274 female and 226 male) non-cleft children. The reviewer used the Baccetti method (2005) to review all the cephalograms for the cervical vertebrae maturation (CVM) stages. T -test was used to compare the mean chronological age and skeletal maturation of cleft and non-cleft children at each CVM stage. There was no significant difference in the mean chronological age and skeletal maturation status of UCLP and non-cleft children. There was no significant difference in skeletal maturation based on sex. The intraobserver assessment showed 80% and 85% kappa agreement, signifying absolute agreement. The correlation coefficient between chronological age and CVMIs was 0.86 ( P <0.001) in cleft children and 0.76 ( P <0.001) in non-cleft children, which was highly significant. The study indicates no significant difference in the skeletal maturation of UCLP and non-cleft children and no sex-related difference.

Dental Arch Parameters and Goslon Scores in Mixed Dentition of Egyptian Children with Surgically Repaired Unilateral Cleft Lip and Palate

Introduction: Various forms of malocclusion are usually encountered in non-syndromic cleft lip and palate, mostly affecting maxillary dental arch. Objective: To assess the dental arch parameters in surgically treated unilateral cleft lip and palate Egyptian children with mixed dentition and compare them with those of comparable healthy non-cleft children. Material and Methods: Comparative cross-sectional study design was used. Twenty-six non-syndromic children with repaired unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP), aged 6-9 years, were compared to twenty-six healthy non-cleft children (control group) recruited from Faculty of Dentistry, Alexandria University. Both groups were divided into two age groups; 6-7 years and 8-9 years. For each subject, dental arch parameters were measured using dental study models. Results: Mean maxillary arch depth and inter-canine arch width were significantly smaller in UCLP children than in non-cleft children in the age groups 6-7 and 8-9 years. Mean inter-molar arch width was not significantly narrower in UCLP children than in non-cleft children. Mean mandibular arch dimensions of UCLP children did not differ significantly from those of non-cleft children. The mean Goslon Yardstick score was 3. Conclusion: Children with UCLP, aged 6-9 year old, had significant reduction in mean maxillary arch dimensions compared to healthy matching non-cleft children except for inter-molar arch width which showed no significant reduction. The average dental arch relationship in surgically-repaired UCLP children was fair according to Goslon Yardstick index.

Comparison of craniofacial morphology characteristics along with dental caries status and salivary properties of operated cleft lip and palate patients with noncleft patients.

Cleft lip and palate patients undergo many primary reconstructive surgical procedures which could lead to various changes in the facial morphology with growth. The most common diagnosis is unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP) and such patients are more prone to dental caries. This study aimed to evaluate and compare the lateral cephalometric landmarks, dental caries status, and salivary properties of surgically repaired UCLP children aged 6-15 years with lateral cephalometric landmarks, dental caries status, and salivary properties of noncleft children of the same age group. Twelve noncleft patients and 12 surgically repaired UCLP patients were chosen, and cephalometric analysis, salivary analysis, and dental caries status were recorded for both the groups. The data were then compared for both the groups. It was analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 21. The level of statistical significance was set at 0.05. In surgical repair ULCP children, their was increased prevalance of dental caries along with decrease level of salivary calcium, Phosphorus,flow rate. Also, their was increased level of alkaline phosphatase, total protein level with acidic pH alongwith retruded maxillary complex with Class III malocclusion. Various primary reconstructive surgeries in UCLP children lead to maxillary retrusion with an increased prevalence of dental caries in these patients due to the maintenance of poor oral hygiene.

The Assessment of 3D Digital Models Using GOSLON Yardstick Index: Exploring Confounding Factors Responsible for Unfavourable Treatment Outcome in Multi-Population Children With UCLP.

To evaluate dental arch relationship (DAR) using GOSLON Yardstick and also to explore the association between multiple factors (age, gender, UCLP types, UCLP side, Family history of cleft, family history of Class III malocclusion, techniques of cheiloplasty, techniques of palatoplasty) and DAR in children unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP) in different populations. Two hundred fifty-five laser scanned 3D digital models (LS3DM) of UCLP children (5–12 years) from Malaysia, Bangladesh, and Pakistan were included. The intra- and inter-examiner agreements were evaluated by kappa statistics, to compare the GOSLON mean score between the populations and to explore the responsible factors that affect DAR, one way ANOVA, and crude logistic regression analysis was used, respectively. The mean GOSLON score was 2.97; 3.40 and 3.09 in Malaysia, Bangladesh, and Pakistan, respectively. Twenty seven, 40, and 30 subjects were in unfavourable (category rating 4 and 5) groups in Malaysia, Bangladesh, and Pakistan, respectively. A significant association was found between techniques of palatoplasty (p = 0.03; p = 0.04 and p = 0.04 in Malaysia, Bangladesh, and Pakistan, respectively) and unfavourable DAR. Different cheiloplasty techniques (p = 0.04) and gender (p = 0.03) also exhibited noteworthy associations with unfavourable DAR in the Bangladeshi population. Bardach techniques of palatoplasty were significantly associated with unfavourable DAR in all three populations. Moreover, male UCLP and modified Millard techniques of cheiloplasty were also associated with unfavourable DAR in the Bangladeshi population.

Effects of Multiple Factors on Treatment Outcome in the Three-Dimensional Maxillary Arch Morphometry of Children With Unilateral Cleft Lip and Palate.

Studies have claimed that the maxillary arch dimension of unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP) patient is significantly smaller than normal patient. Multiple factors (both congenital and post natal treatment factors) are believed to have an impact on the treatment outcome (maxillary arch retardation) of UCLP patient. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of multiple factors on the treatment outcome by assessing the maxillary arch dimension of UCLP Children. Eighty-five Malaysian UCLP children were taken who received cheiloplasty and palatoplasty. Laser scanned 3D digital models of UCLP subjects were prepared before any orthodontic treatment and bone grafting at 7.69 ± 2.46 (mean± SD) years of age. Intercanine width (ICW), intermolar width (IMW), and arch depth (AD) measurements of maxillary arch were measured with Mimics software. Multiple linear regression analyses were used to evaluate the association between multiple factors (gender, UCLP type, UCLP side, family history of cleft, family history of class III malocclusion, techniques of cheiloplasty, and techniques of palatoplasty) and maxillary arch dimensions (ICW, IMW, and AD). P value was set at 5%. Significant association was found between 2 techniques of cheiloplasty and ICW (P = 0.001) and also between 2 techniques of palatoplasty and ICW (P = 0.046) of maxilla. No significant association observed in IMW and AD in relation to all other factors. Modified Millard techniques of Cheiloplasty and Bardach technique of palatoplasty had unfavorable effect on the treatment outcome by assessing the maxillary arch dimension (ICW) using laser scanned 3D digital models in Malaysian UCLP children.

Rapid maxillary expansion effects of nasal airway in children with cleft lip and palate using computational fluid dynamics.

Rapid maxillary expansion (RME) improves nasal airway ventilation in non-cleft palate children. Children with unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP) may have nasal obstruction and experience an increased risk of obstructive sleep apnoea. The effect of RME in UCLP children is unclear. This retrospective study evaluated RME-induced changes in ventilation parameters in children with UCLP using computational fluid dynamics. Nineteen patients (10 boys, mean age 10.7years) who required RME had cone-beam computed tomography images taken before and after RME. Twenty control participants (11 boys, mean age 11.1years) received regular orthodontic treatment. Nasal airway ventilation parameters (air pressure, air velocity and airflow rate) were analysed via computational fluid dynamics, and nasal cross-sectional area (CSA) was measured. Maximum pressure, velocity and nasal resistance were significantly reduced by RME in the UCLP group. Air flow rate and CSA on the cleft side significantly were increased by RME in the UCLP group. In children with UCLP, increasing the quantity of airflow and CSA on the cleft side by RME substantially improved nasal ventilation.

Facial profile and maxillary arch dimensions in unilateral cleft lip and palate children in the mixed dentition stage.

Objectives:The aim of this study was to evaluate the vertical and sagittal facial profile and maxillary arch width, depth, and length of patients with unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP) and to compare them with healthy noncleft children in the mixed dentition stage (7–13 years).Materials and Methods:This study is conducted at Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia. UCLP group comprised 48 patients with nonsyndromic UCLP who have had the lip and palate repaired, whereas the control group comprised 48 healthy noncleft cases. The lateral cephalometrics measurements were used to determine the vertical height, sagittal depth of the face, and cranial base length and angle. Maxillary arch dimensions were measured on the study cast including arch width, depth, and length.Results:Vertical facial height and sagittal depth measurements showed a significant decrease (P < 0.05) in the mean growth pattern in UCLP group. The anterior cranial base length (S-N) was shorter in UCLP children (P < 0.001), while Ba-N length had no significant difference (P = 0.639). Nasion-Sella Tursica-Basion angle was significantly higher in the UCLP group (P = 0.016). Dental arch width with reference to canine-to-canine and first premolar-to- first premolar distance was significantly larger in control (P = 0.001).Conclusion:Mean vertical and sagittal facial dimensions in the UCLP children who do not undergo orthodontic treatment are significantly lesser in all directions of growth than healthy noncleft children. The maxillary dental arch had a normal depth but constricted in width and arch length.

Factors Responsible for Unfavorable Dental Arch Relationship in non Syndromic Unilateral Cleft Lip and Palate Children.

Multiple factors are whispered to be crucial cause of unfavourable dental arch relationship in cleft lip and palate (CLP).This study aims to evaluate the dental arch relationship of Bangladeshi children with non syndromic unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP) following cheiloplasty and palatoplasty. Also to explore the various congenital (UCLP type, UCLP side, family history of cleft, family history of class III) and environmental (cheiloplasty, palatoplasty) factors that affects dental arch relationship of UCLP patients. This was a retrospective study where 84 dental models were taken before orthodontic treatment and alveolar bone grafting. The mean age was 7.69± 2.46 (mean± SD). The dental arch relationship was assessed by GOSLON (Great Ormond Street, London and Oslo) Yardstick. According to GOSLON Yardstick, five categories are rated; named- 1: excellent; 2: good; 3: fair; 4: poor; 5: very poor. Also the groups have been dichotomized into favorable (category ratings 1-3) and unfavorable (category ratings 4 and 5) groups. Kappa statistics was used to evaluate the intra- and inter-examiner agreements and logistic regression analysis was used to explore the responsible factors that affect dental arch relationship. Total 37 subjects (44% of all subjects) were categorized into unfavourable group (category rating 4 and 5) using GOSLON yardstick. Intra- and inter-examiner agreements were very good. The mean GOSLON score was 3.238. Using crude and stepwise backward regression analysis, significant association was found between family history of skeletal class III malocclusion (p = 0.015 and p = 0.014 respectively) and unfavourable dental arch relationship. Complete UCLP (p = 0.054) and left sided UCLP (p = 0.053) also seemed to be correlated but not significant with unfavourable dental arch relationship using crude and stepwise backward regression analysis respectively. This analysis suggested that family history of skeletal class III was significantly correlated with unfavourable dental arch relationship of Bangladeshi UCLP children.

DENTAL ARCH DIMENSIONS IN SURGICALLY REPAIRED UNILATERAL CLEFT LIP AND PALATE OF EGYPTIAN CHILDREN BY OSLO PROTOCOL

INTRODUCTION: Non-syndromic cleft lip and palate is a complex trait caused by the interaction of genetic and environmental factors resulting in various forms of malocclusion mostly affecting maxillary dental arch. AIM OF THE STUDY: The purpose of this study was to evaluate and compare the dental arch dimensions in surgically repaired unilateral cleft lip and palate children according to Oslo protocol with those of healthy matching non-cleft children in Egypt. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Comparative cross-sectional study design was used. Thirty-one non-syndromic children with repaired unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP), aging 4-9 years, and fulfilling the selection criteria together with thirty-one healthy, matched, non-cleft children (control group) were recruited from Faculty of dentistry, Alexandria University. Both groups were divided into three age groups; 4-5 years, 6-7 years and 8-9 years. For each subject, dental arch dimensions were measured from the dental study casts. RESULTS: Mean maxillary arch depth and inter-canine arch width were significantly smaller in UCLP children than in non-cleft children in the age groups 6-7 and 8-9 years. Mean inter-molar arch width was not significantly narrower in UCLP children from that in non-cleft children. Mean mandibular arch dimensions of UCLP children did not differ significantly from those of non-cleft children. CONCLUSIONS: Children with UCLP, aging 6-9 years old, revealed significant reduction in mean maxillary arch dimensions when compared to healthy matching non-cleft children except for inter-molar arch width which showed no significant reduction. KEYWORDS: Unilateral cleft lip and palate/ Maxillary arch dimensions/ Mandibular arch dimensions/ Dental arch depth/ Dental arch width/ Oslo protocol.

Dental maturation of unilateral cleft lip and palate

Cleft lip and palate (CLP) is the most common craniofacial abnormality and the fourth most common birth defect in Singapore. Many reports suggest that CLP children have delayed dental development and asymmetrical timing of tooth-pair formation. The aim of this study was to investigate the timing of development of permanent teeth in unilateral CLP (UCLP) children and to compare the findings with non-CLP children in Singapore. A total of 60 UCLP children aged between 5 and 9 years (mean 6.64 ± 0.90 years) and a non-CLP control group matched for age, gender, and race were investigated and compared. Dental records and radiographs were studied and the dental maturation was determined using the Demirjian's method (1973). The dental maturation of UCLP children were delayed compared with non-CLP children by a mean of 0.55 ± 0.75 years and the delay was statistically significant (P < 0.001). The UCLP group also had significantly higher risk of asymmetrically developing tooth pairs than the control group (P < 0.001). The most commonly delayed tooth in development was the maxillary cleft-sided lateral incisor. In conclusion, the UCLP children in Singapore demonstrated delayed dental maturation and a higher occurrence of asymmetrical tooth-pair formation than the non-CLP children.

Association Between Cleft Size and Crossbite in Children With Cleft Palate and Unilateral Cleft Lip and Palate

Abstract Objective: To investigate the association between cleft size in infancy and crossbite at 5 years of age in children with cleft palate (CP) and unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP). Design: Retrospective study. Setting: University Hospital, Uppsala, Sweden. Patients: Dental study models of 80 consecutive children, 51 children with CP and 29 children with UCLP, born between 1990 and 1999 were analyzed. Interventions: Lip repair at 3 to 4 months in UCLP children. Primary soft palate repair at 6 to 10 months and secondary hard palate closure at 25 to 26 months of age. Main Outcome Measures: Maxillary arch dimensions and cleft size were measured on infancy dental casts. At follow-up at 5 years, crossbite scores were registered on dental study models. Results: The cleft dimensions in infancy showed large interindividual variation. Mean posterior cleft width was larger in UCLP children than in children with CP. The UCLP group also had significantly more crossbite at 5 years than the CP group. No signi...

Association between Cleft Size and Crossbite in Children with Cleft Palate and Unilateral Cleft Lip and Palate

To investigate the association between cleft size in infancy and crossbite at 5 years of age in children with cleft palate (CP) and unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP). Retrospective study. University Hospital, Uppsala, Sweden. Dental study models of 80 consecutive children, 51 children with CP and 29 children with UCLP, born between 1990 and 1999 were analyzed. Lip repair at 3 to 4 months in UCLP children. Primary soft palate repair at 6 to 10 months and secondary hard palate closure at 25 to 26 months of age. Maxillary arch dimensions and cleft size were measured on infancy dental casts. At follow-up at 5 years, crossbite scores were registered on dental study models. The cleft dimensions in infancy showed large interindividual variation. Mean posterior cleft width was larger in UCLP children than in children with CP. The UCLP group also had significantly more crossbite at 5 years than the CP group. No significant association was noted between initial cleft size and crossbite scores at 5 years in the CP group. For the UCLP group, larger cleft widths at the level of the cuspid points were significantly associated with less anterior and posterior crossbite. The findings support the hypothesis that cleft size in infancy affects early outcome with respect to crossbite in children with UCLP, but not in children with CP.

Early Two-Stage Palatoplasty Using Modified Furlow's Veloplasty

To achieve sufficient velopharyngeal function and maxillary growth for patients with unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP), the authors have designed a new treatment protocol for palate closure involving early two-stage palatoplasty with modified Furlow veloplasty. Details of the surgical protocol and the outcomes of the dental occlusion of patients at 4 years of age are presented. This was an institutional retrospective study. Seventy-two UCLP patients were divided into two groups based on their treatment protocols: patients treated using the early two-stage palatoplasty protocol (ETS group; n = 30) and patients treated using Wardill-Kilner pushback palatoplasty performed at 1 year of age (PB group; n = 42). The features of the ETS protocol are as follows: The soft palate is repaired at 12 months of age using a modified Furlow technique. The residual cleft in the hard palate is closed at 18 months of age.Lip repair is carried out at 3 months of age with a modified Millard technique for all subjects. The ETS group showed a significantly better occlusal condition than the PB group.The incidence of normal occlusion at the non-cleft side central incisor was 7.1% in the PB group; whereas, it was 66.7% in the ETS group. The results indicate that the early two-stage protocol is advantageous for UCLP children in attaining better dental occlusion at 4 years of age.

Effect of Infant Orthopedics on Facial Appearance of Toddlers with Complete Unilateral Cleft Lip and Palate (Dutchcleft)

To evaluate the effect of infant orthopedics (IO) on facial appearance of 54 patients with unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP), aged 4 and 6 years. Prospective two-arm randomized controlled clinical trial in three Cleft Palate Centers in the Netherlands (Dutchcleft-trial). Patients were divided randomly into two groups. Half of the patients (IO+) had a plate until surgical closure of the soft palate at the age of +/- 52 weeks; the other half (IO-) received no intervention. Facial appearance at 4 and 6 years of age assessed on full face photographs and photographs showing only nose and mouth. Ratings were performed on a VAS-scale by professionals and laymen. At 4 years of age the full face pictures of IO+ children were scored to be more attractive than those of IO- children. However, this difference had disappeared at 6 years of age. At the age of 6, only professionals saw a significant difference on nasolabial photographs between IO+ and IO-. Regression analysis showed a minor effect of occlusion, lip revision, or type of nose reconstruction on the esthetic results. IO had a positive effect on full facial appearance of UCLP children at the age of 4 years, but at the age of 6, only professionals saw a positive effect of IO on the nasolabial photographs. This is irrelevant for UCLP patients since they deal with laymen in their daily life.

The impact of early infant jaw‐orthopaedics on early speech production in toddlers with unilateral cleft lip and palate

The purpose of study was to investigate the impact of pre‐surgical Infant Orthopaedics (IO) on consonant production at 18 months of age in children with Unilateral Cleft Lip and Palate (UCLP) and to compare the consonant production to that of age‐matched children without clefts. The first ten children in a consecutive series of 20 with UCLP received IO and the following ten did not. Both groups had soft palate repair at 6.3 months of age. The cleft in the hard palate was unrepaired. Ten normally developing children without clefts served as controls. Nine children in each group accomplished the study. Phonetic transcriptions of consonants were made from audiotape recordings obtained during a 45–60 minute interactive session. No significant differences in the number of consonant tokens or of consonant types were found between the UCLP children with and without IO but both groups had significantly lower numbers than the control group. There was no significant difference in frequency of different manners or places of articulation of plosives between the UCLP groups. The frequency of occurrence of bilabial and dental consonant placements of plosives were significantly higher in the control group than in both UCLP groups.

Effect of Cleft Type on Overall Speech Intelligibility and Resonance

The main purpose of this study was to measure and compare the effect of an unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP) and a bilateral cleft lip and palate (BCLP) on overall speech intelligibility, nasalance and nasality. An additional objective was to compare the nasalance and nasality patterns of cleft palate children with the available normative data for normal children. The subjects were 37 children with an UCLP (19/37) or a BCLP (18/37) with normal cognitive and motor functions and normal hearing levels. All subjects had a non-syndromic cleft, followed the same surgical protocol and did not undergo secondary pharyngeal surgery. To measure and compare the effect of cleft type, objective and subjective assessment techniques were used. For the objective assessment of nasal resonance the nasometer and the mirror-fogging test were used. Nasalance scores were obtained, while patients produced sounds, read three standard passages or repeated sentences focusing on specific consonants. A perceptual evaluation of speech, the Gutzmann (1913) test and the tests of Bzoch (1989) were used as subjective assessment techniques. The perceptual assessment of the overall speech intelligibility was based on the spontaneous speech and reading or repeating of the nasometric sentences. These samples were judged by three speech pathologists using a 4-category nominal scale. A subjective test (Morley, 1945) was used to evaluate the velopharyngeal mechanism. The findings of the present study show no statistically significant differences for nasalance values, nasality and overall speech intelligibility between the UCLP and BCLP children. Significant differences were found between the data of the normal group and the cleft palate children. These differences included nasalance values as well as nasality data and overall speech intelligibility.