Effect on weight in infants with cleft lip and palate after naso-alveolar molding appliance thearp

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect on weight in cleft lip and palate infants after completion of naso-alveolar molding appliance therapy. Knowing how the NAM appliance affects the CLP infant's weight is important because historically these infants suffer from failure to thrive. The NAM appliance (worn 24 hours a day including during feedings) has the capacity to alter their delicate nutritional intake. It can potentially affect the overall health of the infant during the critical time period prior to cheiloplasty. In this retrospective study, data regarding birth weights and age and weight on the day of cheiloplasty was collected. This was compared to CLP patients from Shriners Hospitals for Children with no previous history of appliance therapy. As a comparison against normal healthy babies by age, the CLP patients were compared to the 2006 WHO International Growth Standards. This was the first study to examine the effect the NAM appliance has on the weight of these infants. This study found no significant difference in weight at cheiloplasty surgery among infants with CLP who underwent NAM appliance therapy and those without history of intraoral appliance use. No significant difference was also found between all infants with CLP in this study (treatment and non-treatment groups) and normal healthy infants of the same age. There was significant difference in age at cheiloplasty surgery, where the NAM treatment group was significantly older at their primary lip closure surgery.