Evolution of the Hospitalization Burden of Cleft Lip and Palate in Chile: A Nationwide Population-Based Study (2001–2019)

Objective: To characterize the evolution of the hospitalization burden associated with cleft lip and palate (CLP) in Chile between 2001 and 2019, analyzing demographic, geographic, and treatment-related patterns at the national level. Methods: This observational, descriptive, and retrospective study analyzed nationwide hospital discharge data from the Department of Statistics and Health Information of the Chilean Ministry of Health. Hospitalizations with a primary diagnosis of CLP were identified using ICD-10 codes (Q35, Q36, Q37). Variables included sex, age, region of residence, hospital location, health care system (public or private), type of hospitalization, length of hospital stay, and surgical procedures. Temporal trends were assessed using descriptive statistics and linear regression analysis. Results: A total of 23,883 CLP-related hospital discharges were recorded. Hospitalizations were predominantly concentrated in early childhood, with 46.5% occurring in patients under one year of age. The male-to-female ratio was 1.23:1 and remained stable over time. Geographically, 38.4% of discharges occurred in the Metropolitan Region followed by Biobío (10.4%) and La Araucanía (6.9%). Most hospitalizations took place in public health care facilities (69.7%), although a temporary increase in nonpublic discharges was observed. Surgical procedures were performed in 72.1% of hospitalizations, most frequently hard palate closure and/or oronasal fistula repair (14.1%) and unilateral primary cheiloplasty (9.5%). The medial length of hospital stay was 1 day. A decreasing trend in annual hospitalizations was observed but it was not statistically significant. Conclusion: The hospitalization burden of CLP in Chile remains concentrated in early infancy and in specific geographic regions, highlighting persistent regional inequalities and the need for decentralized, equitable, and interdisciplinary care strategies.