J Korean Radiol Soc.  2003 Mar;48(3):289-293. 10.3348/jkrs.2003.48.3.289.

Aspiration Pneumonia in Patients with Cleft Palate

• Lee S
• Choi YW
• Jeon SC
• Park CK
• Uhm KI

• KMID: 2200063
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3348/jkrs.2003.48.3.289

Abstract

PURPOSE: To assess the incidence of aspiration pneumonia in infants with cleft palate and to compare the incidence between complete and incomplete types of cleft palate.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
A review of medical records revealed 100 infants who had undergone initial surgery to repair cleft palate in our hospital during a recent three-year period. Aspiration pneumonia was defined as the coexistence of pneumonia at chest radiography with a history of frequent choking during feeding. The anatomic distribution of aspiration pneumonia was analyzed, and the incidences of aspiration pneumonia in infants with complete and incomplete cleft palate were compared.
RESULTS
Among 100 children, aspiration pneumonia was found in 35 (35%). Those with complete and incomplete cleft palate showed similar incidences of the condition (27 of 70 [39%] vs 8 of 30 [27%], p=0.36). Pneumonia was most commonly seen in the left lower lobe (11 of 35), followed by the right upper and lower lobes.
CONCLUSION
Aspiration pneumonia is frequently associated with infants with cleft palate. There is no statistical difference in the incidence of aspiration pneumonia between the complete and the incomplete cleft palate group.

Keyword

Aspiration, infant; Pneumonia, cleft palate

MeSH Terms

Airway Obstruction
Child
Cleft Palate*
Humans
Incidence
Infant
Medical Records
Pneumonia
Pneumonia, Aspiration*
Radiography
Thorax