Incidence of Natal Teeth in Newborns in Government Medical College and Hospital, Chengalpattu: A Pilot Study.

Abstract

Natal teeth are teeth which are seen at birth and neonatal teeth erupt during the first thirty days after birth. Exact cause is however unknown but trauma, malnutrition, infection or environmental factor can be the causitive factor. Different studies have shown different incident rates. To find the incidence of natal teeth in neonates born in the hospital over a period of seven months and also to find out the most commonly occurring natal teeth among them. The present study was conducted in the Government Medical College and Hospital, Chengalpattu, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India, for a period of seven months. A questionnaire was given to the mothers for gaining relevant information regarding the age, gender of neonate, type of delivery, etc. The cohort of neonates delivered in the hospital was examined clinically to note the presence of natal teeth. Out of 4,341 children four neonates were born with natal teeth. Our study showed female preponderance and most commonly erupted teeth were mandibular anteriors. The type of delivery had no significant relation with the presence or absence of natal teeth. The presence of natal teeth was very rare in our study group. The neonates with natal teeth should be thoroughly examined and parent counselling is also important in these cases.