Abstract
ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of enamel defects and their risk factors on primary and permanent dentitions of prematurely born children and full-term born children born at Regional Hospital of Asa Sul, Brasília, DF, Brazil.Material and MethodsEighty 5-10-year-old children of both genders were examined, being 40 born prematurely (G1) and 40 born full term (G2). The demographic variables, medical history and oral health behaviors were retrieved using a questionnaire and data obtained from clinical examination were recorded. The teeth were examined and the presence of enamel defects was diagnosed according to the DDE Index and registered in odontograms. Subsequently, the defects were categorized in four groups according to one of the criteria proposed in 1992 by the FDI Commission on Oral Health, Research and Epidemiology. Kruskal-Wallis, Chi-square, Kappa, Mann-Whitney tests and logistic regression were used for statistical analysis.Results75% of total sample had enamel defects. There was a major prevalence of hypoplasia of the enamel in G1 (p<0.001). There was a significant relationship between low weight and presence of the imperfections on the enamel in G1 on the primary dentition. The logistic regression model showed that the other risk factors such as monthly per capita family income, educational level, dietary and hygiene habits, fluoride exposure, trauma, and diseases were not associated with enamel defects and caries.ConclusionsPre-term labor can be a predisposing factor for the presence of the enamel hypoplasia in the primary dentition.
Highlights
According to the World Health Organization (WHO)21, a newborn of less than 37 weeks gestation or born within fewer than 259 days after the last menstrual period is considered premature or preterm
No significant difference was found in the prevalence of enamel defects when children from G1 and G2 were divided by gender, with values of p=0.5712 for opacity and p=1.000 for hypoplasia
The percentage of children in G1 and G2 who presented opacity and hypoplasia was presented at Table 1
Summary
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), a newborn of less than 37 weeks gestation or born within fewer than 259 days after the last menstrual period is considered premature or preterm. Low gestational age and low birth weight are the main factors that determine the incidence of neonatal complications. Among the most frequent complications are neonatal rickets, hypocalcemia, perinatal anoxia, anemia, infections, and metabolic, renal, respiratory, cardiovascular and hematological diseases. In these circumstances the use of various drug therapies and, frequently, orotracheal or laryngoscopic intubation to overcome respiratory difficulties, are necessary. These pathologies, whether or not associated with ventilatory support, may cause anomalies in the oral structures of these babies. Low birth weight preterm infants presented a higher prevalence of hypoplasia than normal birth weight controls, and the most affected primary teeth by hypoplasia were maxillary incisors
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