A comparative clinical study of Pierre Robin syndrome and isolated cleft palate.

Thirty seven infants with Pierre Robin syndrome were compared with children who had isolated cleft palate. A female preponderance was seen in both groups. Skeletal II jaw relation was observed in 32% of the children with isolated cleft palate. Associated malformations such as hypertelorism and strabismus were more common in infants with Pierre Robin syndrome and also in those with isolated cleft palate combined with a skeletal II jaw relationship when compared with infants who had cleft palate with a skeletal I jaw relationship. The frequency of hypodontia also was greater in the former two groups than in the latter. Furthermore, no difference was found in the frequencies of U- and V-shaped clefts. The frequencies of near relatives with clefts were also not different between groups. Whilst it may be possible to observe from these findings an association between Pierre Robin syndrome and isolated cleft palate, it is difficult to conclude that they support any of the postulates regarding the aetiology of Pierre Robin syndrome.