Residents' journal review

Abstract

Extremely preterm (EPT) children born before 29 weeks gestation often suffer from medical complications and growth restrictions, including decreased weight and height and smaller head circumference. The purpose of this study was to determine whether there were differences in dentoalveolar variables in EPT children vs children born at term when compared as adolescents. The study included 40 EPT children and 40 control children matched for age and sex. The children were further divided into chronologic age (13 and 16) and sex groups. Medical and neurologic diagnoses were recorded. A dental health examination was performed, and dental casts and bitewings were collected. Malocclusion, crowding, tooth size, arch length, arch width, and palatial height were recorded for each subject. The results showed important medical and dentoalveolar distinctions between the adolescents born EPT and the controls. Angle Class II malocclusion was twice as common in the EPT children, as well as increased overbite and overjet. The frequency of crowding did not differ between the 2 groups. In both the maxilla and the mandible, the EPT children had significantly smaller incisors, canines, and molars. The authors recommended cephalometric studies in addition to clinical studies in a larger population to gather further knowledge about facial and dentoalveolar development in EPT children.