TITLE:
Usage of Potential Teratogenic Chemical Preparations among Mothers of Children Attending the Multidisciplinary Cleft Clinic at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Ghana
AUTHORS:
Alexander Acheampong Oti, Gyikua Plange-Rhule, Solomon Obiri-Yeboah, Daniel Kwasi Sabbah, Peter Donkor
KEYWORDS:
Cleft; Lip; Palate; Chemical; Teratogenic
JOURNAL NAME:
Modern Plastic Surgery,
Vol.4 No.1,
December
25,
2013
ABSTRACT: Objective: The purpose of this study is to determine the usage of
potential teratogenic chemicals among cleft lip and palate mothers attending a
multidisciplinary cleft clinic at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH). Method: This is a retrospective study based on records
of consecutive patients attending the multidisciplinary cleft clinic at KATH.
Mothers of children with cleft lip and palate formed the study sample.
Information on the use of chemical agents by the mothers either before or
during the first three months of pregnancy was collected on to a specially
designed form. The study period was from January 2006 to December 2012. Setting: The study was carried out in a multidisciplinary cleft clinic at
Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital in Ghana. The clinic is the main referral centre
for the northern sector of Ghana for cleft lip and palate care. Results: Chemical preparations usage ranged from 0.2% for tobacco to
25.3% for skin lightening creams. Other agents used include, enema,
non-proprietary concoctions and prednisolone tablets. 2.1% of the mothers
ingested alcohol during pregnancy. Conclusion: There is a
high level of usage of potentially teratogenic chemicals among cleft mothers
attending the multidisciplinary cleft lip and palate clinic at the Komfo Anokye
Teaching Hospital in Ghana. Further studies are, however, required to clarify
any relationship this may have with the development of orofacial clefts.