Gender-Specific Patterns in Nonsyndromic Cleft Lip and/or Palate: A Four-Year Retrospective Study From Telangana, India

Cleft lip and/or palate (CL/P) is a common congenital condition with known gender differences, but region-specific data from Telangana are limited. This hospital-based retrospective cross-sectional study evaluated 665 (n=665) patients treated between 2020 and 2024 to analyze gender distribution across cleft types. Clefts were categorized as cleft lip (CL), cleft palate (CP), and cleft lip with palate (CLP), and statistical analysis included the chi-square test, odds ratio (OR), and Z-test. CLP was the most common presentation (n=393, 59.10%), followed by CL (n=234, 35.19%) and CP (n=38, 5.71%). A clear gender pattern was observed, with males more frequently affected in CLP (n=233, 35.03%) and CL (n=126, 18.95%), while CP was more common in females (n=23, 3.45%). The association between gender and cleft type was statistically significant (χ² = 6.37, df = 2, p = 0.041). Males were more likely to present with CLP compared to CP (OR = 2.23; 95% CI: 1.13-4.41), which was further supported by the Z-test (p = 0.018). Overall, a significant gender disparity was observed in cleft distribution in Telangana, highlighting the need for gender-sensitive screening and management strategies.