Nasal airway size in cleft and noncleft children.

Although the effects of cleft lip and palate on nasal airway size and breathing have been reported for adults, little information is available on children. The present study assessed the effect of age on nasal cross-sectional size and, in particular, whether type of cleft influenced the outcome. The results indicate that, while the cleft nose continues to grow with age, it remains about 30% smaller than the noncleft nose. The airway is smallest in patients with unilateral cleft lip and palate and is largest in those with bilateral clefts. The prevalence of oral breathing is considerably higher in the cleft population in comparison to noncleft.