Natal and neonatal teeth in relation to environmental toxicants

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Satu Alaluusua1, Hannu Kiviranta, Anu Leppäniemi

  • 1Department of Pedodontics and Orthodontics, Institute of Dentistry, University of Helsinki, Finland. satu.alaluusua@helsinki.fi

Pediatric Research
|November 1, 2002
PubMed

Insights

This study found that the prevalence of natal and neonatal teeth in Finnish infants is approximately 1:1000. Exposure to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs) was not associated with these early tooth eruptions.

Area of Science:

  • Environmental Health
  • Pediatrics
  • Toxicology

Background:

  • Natal and neonatal teeth have been anecdotally linked to maternal exposure to environmental pollutants like PCBs and PCDFs.
  • Previous literature suggests a potential increase in natal/neonatal teeth prevalence in general child populations.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the current prevalence of natal and neonatal teeth in a Finnish infant population.
  • To investigate if infants with natal/neonatal teeth exhibit higher exposure levels to PCBs, PCDFs, and PCDDs compared to average infants.

Main Methods:

  • A population-based study of 34,457 infants born between 1997-2000 in southern Finland.
  • Analysis of mother's milk samples (n=34) for toxic equivalents of 17 PCDD/F and 36 PCB congeners.
  • Examination of infants for the presence of natal (present at birth) or neonatal (erupted within 30 days) teeth.

Main Results:

  • The prevalence of natal and neonatal teeth was found to be 1:1000 (34 infants identified).
  • Median toxic equivalent levels in breast milk were 11.9 pg/g fat for PCDD/Fs and 7.24 pg/g fat for PCBs.
  • No statistically significant association was observed between infant exposure levels to these pollutants and the occurrence of natal or neonatal teeth.

Conclusions:

  • The prevalence of natal and neonatal teeth in the studied Finnish population is low (1:1000).
  • Current environmental levels of PCBs and PCDD/Fs in Finland appear to be below the threshold that would influence the perinatal eruption of teeth.

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