Socio-demographic determinants of orofacial clefting in Scotland 2001–2008

<b>Introduction:</b> Scottish cleft statistics are recorded centrally for each new patient by CLEFTSiS, the cleft managed clinical network. These are updated at regular intervals throughout childhood as treatment progresses. In addition to clinical information, the record contains demographic information. Previous studies have demonstrated an association between orofacial clefting and deprivation in both Scotland and Wales. However, since 2001 the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation (SIMD) has provided a more accurate measure of deprivation in Scotland than the previously used index and was used in this study to determine whether socio-demographic factors continue to show an association with orofacial clefting. <b>Methods:</b> Postcode data were used to determine the SIMD category. A Poisson regression analysis was used to determine whether socio-demographic factors specifically sex, geographical area and deprivation had a bearing on the incidence and type of orofacial clefting in Scotland. <b>Results:</b> Records were analysed for 1016 patients born between 2001 and 2008. 47 were excluded due to incomplete postcode or cleft data. <b>Conclusions/cinch relevance:</b> Knowledge of the socio-demographic associations of orofacial clefting are important as they may help point to reversible risk factors. In addition it may help to improve the distribution of services around Scotland where 20% of the population resides in areas classed as rural