This study aimed at investigating the percentage of patients with clefts reporting the existence of previous cases of individuals with clefts or other congenital anomalies in the family. A total of 803 patients presenting cleft lip and/or palate, with or without additional malformations and with no recognizable syndromes were interviewed; data were analyzed in percentages and means. A significant percentage of the sample (32.3%) presented one or more cases of individuals with anomalies in the family, with a remarkable influence from the presence of siblings with clefts and relatives with more severe types of clefts. The results suggest the presence of inheritance among the probable etiologic factors. All health professionals should be aware of this fact, in order to be able to provide information and counseling.
Cleft lip and cleft palate; Congenital abnormalities; Heredity
