Mouth Breathing Children Research Articles

Electromyographic fatigue of orbicular oris muscles during exercises in mouth and nasal breathing children.

To investigate the process of fatigue in orbicularis oris muscles by analyzing the median frequency of electromyographic signal and the referred fatigue time, according to the breathing mode and the facial pattern. The participants were 70 children, aged 6 to 12 years, who matched the established criteria. To be classified as 36 nasal-breathing and 34 mouth-breathing children, they underwent speech-language, otorhinolaryngologic, and cephalometric evaluation. For the electromyographic assessment, the children had to sustain lip dumbbells weighing 40, 60, and 100 g and a lip exerciser, until the feeling of fatigue. Median frequency was analyzed in 5, 10, 15, and 20 seconds of activity. The referred time of the feeling of fatigue was also recorded. Data were analyzed through the analysis of variance--repeated measures (post hoc Tukey's test), Kruskal-Wallis test, and Mann-Whitney U-test. A significant decrease in the median frequency from 5 seconds of activity was observed, independently from the comparison between the groups. On comparison, the muscles did not show significant decrease. The reported time for the feeling of fatigue was shorter for mouth-breathing individuals. This feeling occurred after the significant decrease in the median frequency. There were signals that indicated myoelectric fatigue for the orbicularis oris muscles, in both groups analyzed, from the first 5 seconds of activity. Myoelectric fatigue in the orbicularis oris muscles preceded the reported feeling of fatigue in all groups. The account for fatigue time was influenced by only the breathing pattern, occurring more precociously in mouth-breathing children.

Guidelines proposal for clinical recognition of mouth breathing children.

INTRODUCTION: Mouth breathing (MB) is an etiological factor for sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) during childhood. The habit of breathing through the mouth may be perpetuated even after airway clearance. Both habit and obstruction may cause facial muscle imbalance and craniofacial changes. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this paper is to propose and test guidelines for clinical recognition of MB and some predisposing factors for SDB in children. METHODS: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 110 orthodontists regarding their procedures for clinical evaluation of MB and their knowledge about SDB during childhood. Thereafter, based on their answers, guidelines were developed and tested in 687 children aged between 6 and 12 years old and attending elementary schools. RESULTS: There was no standardization for clinical recognition of MB among orthodontists. The most common procedures performed were inefficient to recognize differences between MB by habit or obstruction. CONCLUSIONS: The guidelines proposed herein facilitate clinical recognition of MB, help clinicians to differentiate between habit and obstruction, suggest the most appropriate treatment for each case, and avoid maintenance of mouth breathing patterns during adulthood.

Are distinct etiologies of upper airway obstruction in mouth-breathing children associated with different cephalometric patterns?

ObjectiveTo test the null hypothesis that mouth-breathing (MB) children by distinct obstructive tissues present a similar cephalometric pattern. MethodsThe sample included 226 prepubescent children (113 MB and 113 nasal breathing (NB) controls). An ENT clinical examination, including flexible nasal endoscopy, orthodontic clinical and cephalometric examinations, was performed on the MB population. MB children were grouped into three categories, according to the obstructive tissues: 1) adenoid group (AG), 2) tonsillar group (TG), and 3) adenotonsillar group (ATG). The NB controls were matched by gender, age, sagittal dental relationship and skeletal maturation status. Lateral cephalometric radiography provided the cephalometric pattern comparisons between the MB and NB groups. ResultsMB cephalometric measurements were significantly different from those of NB children, exception in the SNB° (P=0.056). All comparisons between the three groups of MB children with the NB children showed a significant difference. Finally, even among the three groups of MB children, a significant difference was observed in the measurements of the SNB° (P<0.036), NSGn° (P<0.028) and PFH/TAFH ratio (posterior facial height/total anterior facial height) (P<0.012). ConclusionsThe cephalometric pattern of MB and NB children was not similar. Cephalometric measurements of the MB group differed according to the etiology of upper airway obstruction. Children with isolated hypertrophy of the palatine tonsils presented with a mandible that was positioned more forward and upward compared to children obstructed only by the enlarged adenoid.

Nonsurgical Radiofrequency Volumetric Reduction of Adenoidal Hypertrophy

Objectives: Adenoidal hypertrophy (AH) is the most common cause of pathologic mouth breathing in children. Medical treatment of adenoid hypertrophy includes treatment of allergies, nasal sprays, and antibiotics. However, in some cases AH continues to produce symptoms despite maximal medical therapy. Potential risks of anesthesia and complications of surgical procedures have led to the promotion of non-surgical alternatives. During the past 3 years, advances in expertise and technology led to the new advent of using office based setting for nonsurgical procedures by the author as an innovative method for treatment of AH. Methods: Sixty five children who were definitive candidates for surgical adenoidectomy were managed with radiofrequency treatment under endoscopy control without any need of general anesthesia. The age range was between 4 and 15. All children underwent direct endoscopic examination of adenoid before and after procedure. Results: The period of follow-up was from 2 to 32 months. Patients experienced different degrees of improvement after nonsurgical procedure, according to a researcher-based questionnaire. The results were impressive for some parents because of marked improvement by very simple procedure as compared to surgery. Conclusions: Nonsurgical radiofrequency reduction of adenoid size has multiple advantages: excellent magnified view of adenoid area, accurate reduction of central obstructing part of adenoid, nonbleeding, evaluation and treatment of other nonadenoid obstructing problems, complete preservation of normal nasopharyngeal structures, no general anesthesia, no operating room stress, no hospitalization, high safety, no complications, and better patient tolerance using this fast and easy procedure.

Comparison of cephalometric patterns in mouth breathing and nose breathing children

ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to compare cephalometric values between nasal and oral breathing children and to measure the upper and lower airway space in both groups. MethodsThe study was conducted on 118 pediatric patients, 51 girls and 67 boys, from the Dental Clinic of the Universidad Europea de Madrid. The age ranges of the sample were 6–12 years old. 53 of them were mouth breathers and 65 nose breathers. Lateral cephalometric radiographs were obtained for all of the subjects. The radiographs were analyzed and a cephalometric tracing was performed on each one. ResultsThe mouth breathing children showed a more retruded mandible (SNB), and a greater inclination of the mandibular plane (NS-Go Gn) and occlusal plane (NS-O Pl.), than the nose breathing children (P<0.05). The mouth breathing group also had a higher frequency of having the hyoid bone in a more elevated position and the nasopharyngeal air space significantly smaller than the nasal breathing group (P<0.001). ConclusionMouth breathing children seem to have an increase in anterior lower facial height, the hyoid bone in a more elevated position and higher tendency towards having a class II malocclusion compared to nose breathing children.

Facial soft tissues of mouth-breathing children: Do expectations meet reality?

ObjectiveTo quantify the differences between the facial soft tissue morphology of severely obstructed mouth breathing (MB) and that of predominantly nasal breathing (NB) children. MethodsSoft tissue measurements were performed in the lateral cephalograms of 64 severely obstructed MB children (mean age 6.7±1.6) compared with 64 NB children (mean age 6.5±1.3). Groups were paired by age, gender, skeletal maturation status and sagittal skeletal pattern. Based on the assumption of normality and homoscedasticity, comparison of the means and medians of soft tissue measurements between the two groups was performed. ResultsThe facial convexity and anterior facial height ratio of MB were similar to NB children. The upper lip of MB children was protruded, and its base was thinner compared with NB; however, the length was not affected. The lower lip was shorter and more protruded in MB children. The nasolabial angle, nasal prominence, and chin thickness were smaller in MB children. ConclusionsThe facial soft tissue of severely obstructed MB children is different than in NB children. Changes in lips, nasolabial angle, nasal prominence, and chin thickness are associated with severe airway obstruction in children.

Dental arch dimensional changes after adenotonsillectomy in prepubertal children

The purposes of this study were to investigate the dental arch changes after adenotonsillectomies in prepubertal children and to compare the dental arch dimensions of mouth-breathing and nasal-breathing children. The sample included 49 prepubertal severely obstructed mouth-breathing children and 46 prepubertal nasal-breathing children. Twenty-four of the 49 mouth-breathing children had an adenotonsillectomy and composed the adenotonsillectomy subgroup. The 25 children in whom the mouth-breathing pattern was unchanged during the 1-year study period composed the control subgroup. The mouth-breathing children showed a deeper palatal vault, a larger mandibular width, and a larger mandibular arch length in comparison with the nasal-breathing children. After airway clearance, the adenotonsillectomy group showed a significant maxillary transverse width gain compared with the control subgroup. The control subgroup showed a significant deepening of the palatal height when compared with the adenotonsillectomy subgroup after 1 year. The adenotonsillectomy subgroup had a significantly different pattern of arch development compared with the untreated controls. After adenotonsillectomy, the mouth-breathing children showed greater maxillary transverse development than did the controls. The palatal vault deepened in the untreated children. The mouth-breathing children showed a deeper palatal vault, a larger mandibular width, and a larger mandibular arch length in comparison with the nasal-breathing children.

Frequency distribution of mouth breathing in children based on age and gender

Introduction: Mouth breathing is one of the bad habits caused by respiratory tract obstruction, a habit, or the anatomically incompetent lip shape. It causes an abnormality on the customs of dentofacial, academic, health, and children behavior. The purpose of this research is to find out the percentage of children aged 6-12 years old who have a mouth breathing habit in Pedodontics Installation of Dentistry Unpad Bandung, in September-October 2011. Methods: The study was performed using descriptive method. The study subject are 110 children collected by accidental sampling. Research conducted by clinical examination of extra and intra oral as well as a questionnaire through interviews. Results: The results showed that there were 12 children who have a mouth breathing (10.1%), on the basis of age there are 3 children (25%) at the age of 10 years at most have a habit of breathing through the mouth, and on the basis of gender, there are five male children (41.7%) and 7 female children who have a habit of breathing through the mouth (58,3%). Conclusion: Conclusions of this research showed that the frequency distribution of a child with mouth breathing in Pedodontics Instalation of RSGM FKG Unpad is relatively low with the number of incidence in female children higher than male children.

Association between clinical signs and symptoms related to sleep-disordered breathing in mouth breathers school children

Introduction Sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) is one of the causes of morbidity in children. The symptoms of SDB in children are varied and difficult to diagnose, especially in mouth breathing children (MB). The aim of this study was to associate the clinical signs of the MB and the self-perception of their symptoms related to SDB, focusing on nasal, sleep and masticatory problems. Materials and methods From a previous study, a sample of 73 pre-selected MB derived from elementary schools, aged 7–14 years old, was reevaluated about the presence of anatomical and functional facial and dental occlusion changes, the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and posture alterations and breathing pattern abnormalities. Concomitantly, a questionnaire about symptoms of SDB was applied to the MB. This instrument contains 16 questions about TMJ, nasal and sleep problems. From 42 clinical variables reevaluated, 19 were selected by the Binomial test where the cutoff point was the average of the variables’ prevalence. Afterwards, we used the logistic regression through Backward method and the Wald test to verify the association between these clinical variables and the 16 questions from the questionnaire. Results For TMJ symptoms the clinical variables were significant to: lack of lip closure, Class II malocclusion, deviation from interocclusal position, overbite, forward head position and palatine tonsil hypertrophy. For the nasal symptoms the clinical variables were significant to: turbinate hypertrophy and deviation from interocclusal position. Lastly, for the sleep symptoms the clinical variables were significant to: turbinate hypertrophy, palatine tonsils hypertrophy, deviation from interocclusal position, lack of lip seal, obstructive Mallampati index (III and IV), and protrusion deviation. Most significant finds were those related to the sleep symptoms: mouth breathing and obstructive Mallampati index were related to complaints of snoring, waking up during the night and sleeping were related with the mouth open; mouth breathing and palatine tonsils hypertrophy were related to complaints of sleep problems and daytime sleepiness. Conclusion This study showed that craniofacial, upper airway and postural abnormalities are associated with an increased risk of SDB in mouth breathers children. Acknowledgements Management of Vitoria City, ES, Brazil.

Evaluation of maxillary arch dimensions and palatal morphology in mouth-breathing children by using digital dental casts

ObjectiveThe aim of the present study was to analyze the variations of maxillary arch size and of palatal morphology in subjects with prolonged mouth-breathing due to allergic rhinitis when compared with a control group with normal breathing pattern by using a three-dimensional analysis on digital casts. Methods26 Caucasian children (19 females and 7 males) with a mean age of 8.5 years (SD 1.6 years) were selected according to the following criteria: mouth-breathing pattern due to allergic rhinitis, early mixed dentition, skeletal Class I relationship and prepubertal stage of cervical vertebral maturation. The study group was compared with a control group of 17 nasal breathing subjects (9 females; 8 males, mean age 8.5 years SD 1.7 years). For each subject an initial dental cast was taken and the upper arch was scanned by using a tridimensional scanner. On each digital model linear measurements were performed to analyze maxillary arch dimensions and palatal morphology. Significant between-group differences were tested with the Student t-test (p<0.05). Resultsthe transverse dimension of the upper arch was significantly smaller in subjects of the study group thus confirming the influence of oral breathing on skeletal development with a significant constriction of the whole palate. The study group showed a higher and sharper palatal vault at the level of second deciduous molars and of first permanent molars. ConclusionsChildren with mouth-breathing pattern showed a significant constriction of the maxillary arch and an increased palatal height when compared with subjects with normal breathing pattern.

Evaluation of respiratory muscle strength in mouth breathers: clinical evidences.

Introduction The child who chronically breathes through the mouth may develop a weakness of the respiratory muscles. Researchers and clinical are seeking for methods of instrumental evaluation to gather complementary data to clinical evaluations. With this in mind, it is important to evaluate breathing muscles in the child with Mouth Breathing. Objective To develop a review to investigate studies that used evaluation methods of respiratory muscle strength in mouth breathers. Data Synthesis The authors were unanimous in relation to manovacuometry method as a way to evaluate respiratory pressures in Mouth Breathing children. Two of them performed with an analog manovacuometer and the other one, digital. The studies were not evaluated with regard to the method efficacy neither the used instruments. Conclusion There are few studies evaluating respiratory muscle strength in Mouth Breathing people through manovacuometry and the low methodological rigor of the analyzed studies hindered a reliable result to support or refuse the use of this technique.

Mouth breathing in children with learning disorders

Given the importance of studying the causes of learning disorders, we designed this case-control study to assess the nasal cavity volume, pharyngeal and palatine tonsils in children with and without learning disabilities. MethodA total of forty-eight children were enrolled in the study: twenty-four coming from the Center for Evaluation and Early Stimulation (CADEP), in which the criterion is the school failure of at least two consecutive years; and twenty-four students with normal learning - which made up the control group. The children were submitted to ENT examination (history, physical examination) and specific tests (acoustic rhinometry, cavum radiography). ResultsThe results showed that students with learning disabilities have a higher prevalence of pharyngeal tonsil hypertrophy: p < 0.001, and palatine tonsil hypertrophy: p < 0.001. The average volume of the nasal cavities showed no statistically significant association with learning difficulties (p = 0.75). ConclusionBased on this study, we concluded that children with adenotonsillar hypertrophy have more learning difficulties when compared to children without such hypertrophy.

Is the growth pattern in mouth breathers comparable with the counterclockwise mandibular rotation of nasal breathers?

The aim of this longitudinal study was to investigate mandibular rotation and angular remodeling in mouth-breathing children compared with nasal-breathing children. The sample included 55 severely obstructed mouth-breathing children (mean age, 6.1 years) and 55 nasal-breathing children (mean age, 7.3 years). The cephalograms at baseline and after 1 year were traced and measured, and superimpositions were made to determine true mandibular rotation, apparent rotation, and angular remodeling. The significance level was set at 5%. The mouth-breathing children had a longer face cephalometric pattern compared with nasal-breathing children. No cranial deflection differences were observed. No changes in the vertical growth pattern were observed during the 1-year period in either group. There were no statistically significant differences between the groups regarding apparent rotation (mouth breathing, -0.54°, vs nasal breathing, -0.41°). In comparison with the nasal breathers, the mouth breathers showed statistically significant lower yearly rates of counterclockwise true rotation (mouth breathing, -0.60°, vs nasal breathing, -1.31°) and angular remodeling (mouth breathing, 0.06°, vs nasal breathing, 0.87°). Mouth-breathing children had a hyperdivergent cephalometric pattern, but against all expectations, counterclockwise true mandibular and apparent rotations were the average observations. Mouth-breathing children showed less true rotation and angular remodeling than did nasal breathers; however, apparent rotations were similar.

Oral breathing and speech disorders in children

ObjectiveTo assess speech alterations in mouth-breathing children, and to correlate them with the respiratory type, etiology, gender, and age. MethodA total of 439 mouth-breathers were evaluated, aged between 4 and 12 years. The presence of speech alterations in children older than 5 years was considered delayed speech development. The observed alterations were tongue interposition (TI), frontal lisp (FL), articulatory disorders (AD), sound omissions (SO), and lateral lisp (LL). The etiology of mouth breathing, gender, age, respiratory type, and speech disorders were correlated. ResultsSpeech alterations were diagnosed in 31.2% of patients, unrelated to the respiratory type: oral or mixed. Increased frequency of articulatory disorders and more than one speech disorder were observed in males. TI was observed in 53.3% patients, followed by AD in 26.3%, and by FL in 21.9%. The co-occurrence of two or more speech alterations was observed in 24.8% of the children. ConclusionMouth breathing can affect speech development, socialization, and school performance. Early detection of mouth breathing is essential to prevent and minimize its negative effects on the overall development of individuals.

Oral breathing and speech disorders in children

ObjectiveTo assess speech alterations in mouth-breathing children, and to correlate them with the respiratory type, etiology, gender, and age. MethodA total of 439 mouth-breathers were evaluated, aged between 4 and 12 years. The presence of speech alterations in children older than 5 years was considered delayed speech development. The observed alterations were tongue interposition (TI), frontal lisp (FL), articulatory disorders (AD), sound omissions (SO), and lateral lisp (LL). The etiology of mouth breathing, gender, age, respiratory type, and speech disorders were correlated. ResultsSpeech alterations were diagnosed in 31.2% of patients, unrelated to the respiratory type: oral or mixed. Increased frequency of articulatory disorders and more than one speech disorder were observed in males. TI was observed in 53.3% patients, followed by AD in 26.3%, and by FL in 21.9%. The co-occurrence of two or more speech alterations was observed in 24.8% of the children. ConclusionMouth breathing can affect speech development, socialization, and school performance. Early detection of mouth breathing is essential to prevent and minimize its negative effects on the overall development of individuals.

Walk test and school performance in mouth-breathing children

AbstractIn recent decades, many studies on mouth breathing (MB) have been published; however, little is known about many aspects of this syndrome, including severity, impact on physical and academic performances. ObjectiveCompare the physical performance in a six minutes walk test (6MWT) and the academic performance of MB and nasal-breathing (NB) children and adolescents. MethodThis is a descriptive, cross-sectional, and prospective study with MB and NB children submitted to the 6MWT and scholar performance assessment. ResultsWe included 156 children, 87 girls (60 NB and 27 MB) and 69 boys (44 NB and 25 MB). Variables were analyzed during the 6MWT: heart rate (HR), respiratory rate, oxygen saturation, distance walked in six minutes and modified Borg scale. All the variables studied were statistically different between groups NB and MB, with the exception of school performance and HR in 6MWT. ConclusionMB affects physical performance and not the academic performance, we noticed a changed pattern in the 6MWT in the MB group. Since the MBs in our study were classified as non-severe, other studies comparing the academic performance variables and 6MWT are needed to better understand the process of physical and academic performances in MB children.

Dental consequences of mouth breathing in the pediatric age group

Background: The presence of mouth breathing (MB) in pediatric patients is a relatively common fact and may result in a series of changes characteristic of occlusal features. In the presence of unbalanced muscular activity, dental inter-arch relationship is the important parameter to understand the patient's occlusion. Therefore, it is important to assess the occurrence of occlusal disorders among MB children. Aim: The present study is undertaken to verify the dental occlusal characteristics with extent of MB and nasal breathing in a pediatric patient. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed to assess the association of changed mode of respiration with occlusal variables from dental cast. Ninety-two subjects, of whom 40 were mouth breathers and 52 were nasal breathers, of 7-11 years of age were submitted to clinical examination and dental cast analysis. Results: Mouth breathers demonstrated considerable increase in palatal height and increased overjet, and statistically significant narrowing of the upper arch at the level of the molar. Conclusion: Changed mode of respiration during critical growth periods in children has a higher tendency for increased palatal height and overjet, reduced overbite and maxillary intermolar width.

구호흡이 안모골격 형태에 미치는 영향

이 연구는 장기간의 호흡 양상이 성장기의 안모골격 형태에 미치는 영향을 알아보고자, 전북대학교 소아치과에 내원하여 교정 진단을 받은 환자 중, 골격성 I, II, III급 부정교합자들을 비호흡자와 구호흡자로 각각 20명씩 나누어 총 120명을 선택하였다. 측모두부규격방사선사진으로 기도공간과 안모골격 형태를 분석하여 연령별로 평가한 결과, 다음과 같은 결과를 얻었다. 골격성 I, II, III급 부정교합에서 비호흡자와 구호흡자를 비교한 결과, 안모골격 형태를 분석한 항목에서 유의한 차이를 발견할 수 없었다(p > 0.05). 그러나 12세 이상에서 골격성 I급 부정교합의 비호흡자가 구호흡자에 비해 Ad-S가 유의성 있게 증가하였고, H-Pc는 유의성 있게 감소하였다. 또한 골격성 II급 부정교합의 비호흡자는 구호흡자에 비해 Ar-Go가 유의성 있게 증가하였고, ML-NSL은 유의성 있게 감소하였다. 골격성 III급 부정교합자에서는 구호흡자가 비호흡자에 비해 SNA, SNB가 유의성 있게 감소하였다(p < 0.05). 골격성 I, II, III급 부정교합에 따른 호흡 양상과 안모골격 형태는 큰 연관성을 보이지 않았으나 구호흡을 하는 12세 이상의 골격성 II급 부정교합자에서 하악지의 길이 성장이 저해되고, 전안면 고경이 증가하였으며, 골격성 III급 부정교합에서는 상악골 성장 저해 및 하악의 시계방향 회전 경향이 유의성을 보이므로, 장기간 구호흡이 지속되는 경우 안모골격 형태에 악영향을 미칠 수 있다. There still remains a controversial debate whether facial skeletal morphological differences exist between patients with nasal and mouth breathing habits. The aim of this study is to assess a relationship between over a period of time mouth breathing and facial skeletal morphology by analyzing lateral cephalometric radiographs of patients with nasal or mouth breathing habits. A total of 120 patients with skeletal class I, II, and III, who had undergone orthodontic diagnosis in department of pediatric dentistry - chonbuk national university, were chosen and their lateral cephalometric radiographs were analyzed. These patients were divided into six groups of 20, each with or without mouth breathing habits. The result of this study has not showed noticeable differences in cephalometric measurements between nasal and mouth breathing children of skeletal class I, II, and III (p > 0.05). However, when the groups were divided by age factor, mouth breathers of age 12 and older showed significant differences in cephalometrics such as decreased ramus height, maxillary retrusion, and clockwise pattern of mandible than children under age 12 (p < 0.05). In conclusion, a longer period of mouth-breathing habits in children displayed a greater chance of impaired facial growth.

Effect of rapid maxillary expansion on the dimension of the nasal cavity and on facial morphology assessed by acoustic rhinometry and rhinomanometry

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effects of rapid maxillary expansion on facial morphology and on nasal cavity dimensions of mouth breathing children by acoustic rhinometry and computed rhinomanometry. METHODS: Cohort; 29 mouth breathing children with posterior crossbite were evaluated. Orthodontic and otorhinolaryngologic documentation were performed at three different times, i.e., before expansion, immediately after and 90 days following expansion. RESULTS: The expansion was accompanied by an increase of the maxillary and nasal bone transversal width. However, there were no significant differences in relation to mucosal area of the nose. Acoustic rhinometry showed no difference in the minimal cross-sectional area at the level of the valve and inferior turbinate between the periods analyzed, although rhinomanometry showed a statistically significant reduction in nasal resistance right after expansion, but were similar to pre-treatment values 90 days after expansion. CONCLUSION: The maxillary expansion increased the maxilla and nasal bony area, but was inefficient to increase the nasal mucosal area, and may lessen the nasal resistance, although there was no difference in nasal geometry. Significance: Nasal bony expansion is followed by a mucosal compensation.

Associação entre as alterações posturais e a respiração bucal em crianças

INTRODUÇÃO: Durante o período de crescimento e desenvolvimento corporal, é possível que surjam alterações posturais que podem decorrer de uma respiração incorreta, por via bucal. OBJETIVOS: Verificar se a presença de alterações posturais tem relação com a presença da respiração bucal em crianças de segunda a quarta série do Ensino Fundamental. MATERIAIS E MÉTODOS: Participaram do estudo 117 crianças com idade média de 9,017 ± 0,851 anos, sendo 54 meninos e 63 meninas. A avaliação foi constituída por um questionário sobre sinais e sintomas da respiração bucal e uma avaliação postural fotogramétrica com software para Avaliação Postural (SAPO®). Para a análise da comparação entre os grupos, foram utilizados os testes t-student e Mann Whitney; e para a análise da associação, o teste Exato de Fisher. Foi considerado p &lt; 0,05 como nível de significância. RESULTADOS: Em relação ao tipo de respiração, prevaleceu, de forma significativa, a respiração bucal em relação à nasal (p &lt; 0,001). Quanto ao alinhamento vertical da cabeça, predominou a anteriorização em ambas as vistas. No que diz respeito à assimetria horizontal da escápula, houve predomínio da assimetria à esquerda e, para o alinhamento horizontal da pelve, predominou a anteroversão em ambas as vistas. Na medida do ângulo perna/retropé, prevaleceu o calcâneo valgo direito e esquerdo. As diferenças observadas entre os grupos, respirador bucal e nasal, não se mostraram significativas (p &gt; 0,05). CONCLUSÃO: Foi encontrado um alto percentual de crianças com sinais e sintomas da respiração bucal e alterações posturais, porém sem relação entre os achados.