OBJECTIVETo study the epidemiological features of transverse cleft and its multiple congenital anomaly (MCA) patterns in China.

METHODSFrom 1987 through 1992, hospital-based cluster sampling method was adopted for collecting data. During that period all live or stillbirths with 28 weeks of gestation or more were assessed within 7 days after delivery.

RESULTS94 cases of transverse facial cleft were identified among 4,489,692 births, so the prevalence rate of transverse facial cleft at birth was 0.21/10(4). The prevalence rates in urban areas and in rural areas were 0.20/10(4) and 0.23/10(4), respectively. And the rates in male and female births were both 0.21/10(4). 69 cases occurred with other malformations, among which the anomalies of ear were the most frequent association (53.6%). The perinatal fatality rate was 46.9%, a significant difference of fatality rate was found between isolated forms (16.0%) and associated forms of transverse facial cleft (58.0%).

CONCLUSIONSThe prevalence rate of transverse facial cleft in China is more than the estimated rate. No significant differences are found between urban and rural areas, and between male and female births. Most of transverse facial clefts are associated forms, often as one feature of other syndromes.