Feka P, Banon J, Leuchter I, La Scala GC. Prevalence of bifid uvula in primary school children.
Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol 2019;
116:88-91. [PMID:
30554716 DOI:
10.1016/j.ijporl.2018.10.026]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2018] [Revised: 10/15/2018] [Accepted: 10/16/2018] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND
A bifid uvula is an anatomic variation that can be predictive of sub-mucous cleft palate, which may cause velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI). Bifid uvula prevalence in the literature ranges from 0.18% to 10.3%, depending on the population studied. The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of bifid uvula in the Geneva's school children population.
METHODS
A cross-sectional study was conducted in Geneva's primary school children, from September 2014 to June 2015. An examination of the uvula was performed by dentists working for the Scholastic Dental Service, after a specific training in diagnosing bifid uvulas. The dentists recorded their findings on a standardized form.
RESULTS
The total number of school children in Geneva in the school year 2014-2015 was 30,375. 23,961 children had their uvula examined, representing 79% of the total population of school children. Among them, a hundred school children had a cleft uvula. One schoolgirl had no uvula. The prevalence of bifid uvula is 0.42%. Sex ratio (M/F) is 0.96.
DISCUSSION
This large study, the second in literature for number of patients examined, identified a prevalence of bifid uvula of 0.42%. This result is in agreement with previous studies.
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