Research Team at Kyungpook National University Hospital Craniofacial Center Publishes Paper in Scientific Reports... Timing of 'Gusung Gugaeyeol' Treatment Is Crucial

A Study Utilizing Big Data from National Health Insurance of Over 5.23 Million Children

The paper by the research team at the Craniofacial Center of Kyungpook National University Hospital in Daegu, Professors Choi Kang-young (left) and Ryu Jung-yeop (right), was published in the December issue of Scientific Reports.

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters, Trainee Reporter Lee Seryeong] A research paper by the Craniofacial Center research team at Kyungpook National University Hospital in Daegu, focusing on children with cleft lip and palate, was published in the December issue of "Scientific Reports," a sister journal of Nature.

Professors Choi Kangyoung and Ryu Jeongyeop from the Department of Plastic Surgery at the Craniofacial Center of Kyungpook National University Hospital announced research findings that "children with cleft lip and palate have relatively smaller height, weight, and head circumference before school age compared to children without the condition, have a higher risk of dental caries and malocclusion, and experience earlier loss of primary teeth."

Experienced clinicians had already recognized these phenomena and trends, but previous literature reported no differences in height and weight between children with cleft lip and palate and those without, leaving questions unresolved.

The research team utilized National Health Insurance big data to track height, weight, head circumference, and dental health of 5,234,695 children born between 2007 and 2018.

At 66 to 71 months, children with isolated cleft lip and palate were found to be 0.78 cm shorter in height compared to those without the condition, while those with syndromic cleft lip and palate were 3.13 cm shorter. Weight was 0.52 kg less in isolated cleft lip and palate cases and 1.71 kg less in syndromic cases.

Most differences appeared by age one, before palate surgery, and these differences did not worsen but remained stable thereafter, suggesting that timely surgery results in normal growth.

For children with cleft palate, active nutritional intake before age one is necessary, so it is emphasized that they receive care from plastic surgery and pediatrics departments to avoid missing the appropriate timing.

Dental caries occurred 20% more frequently, and malocclusion was 4.14 times more common, indicating the importance of close monitoring and receiving dental treatment at the right time.

The research team stated, "Using National Health Insurance Corporation health screening big data and conducting a near-complete survey of all children born ensures high reliability," and added, "Since it has been revealed that children with cleft lip and palate are vulnerable in early growth and dental health, active feeding and timely surgery during this period are crucial."

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