Communication and cognition profiles in parents of children with nonsyndromic cleft lip and/or palate

The main aim of the study was to ascertain whether parents of children with nonsyndromic cleft lip and/or palate (P-CLP) perform differently than parents of children without CLP (P-control) on a nonword repetition (NWR) test. Given that children with CLP frequently demonstrate communication and cognitive difficulties, a link between NWR performance and group would lend support to a familial risk factor in nonsyndromic CLP. The NWR test, a well-documented assessment to identify language and cognitive impairment, was used, together with a parent questionnaire to gather demographic data and family history information on medical, communication, and/or cognitive difficulties for 260 parents. Group differences on NWR performance and family history of communication and cognition difficulties were not demonstrated. Also, no significant difference on NWR score was seen in the P-CLP group based on child's CLP type. Correlation analysis showed that having more years of schooling, English as the dominant language, living in private housing, and being in skilled occupations were positively correlated to NWR score. Controlling for these known background variables did not alter NWR performance between P-CLP and P-control, however, only years of schooling significantly and consistently predicted NWR performance. Having significantly fewer years of schooling in the P-CLP group could be suggestive of an increased risk of communication and cognitive difficulties these parents face, and the potential difficulties their children with CLP may encounter. These results may inform early and rigorous intervention strategies for children with CLP.