Maternal age and oral clefts: A reappraisal

Objective. The aim of the study was to test the hypothesis that increased maternal age is associated with a higher risk of having a child with oral clefts. Study design. A meta-analysis of 8 population-based studies with information regarding live birth and oral clefts was performed. Results. No association between increased maternal age and isolated oral clefts was found. Conclusion. Oral clefts occurrence is not correlated with increasing maternal age, and inclusion of data mixing isolated and syndromic cases can confound the analysis and must be avoided. © 2002, Mosby, Inc.