Factors associated with malocclusions in children and adolescents with Down syndrome
Ana Cristina Borges Oliveira1, Saul Martins Paiva, Mônica Rodrigues Campos
1National Public Health School, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. anacboliveira@yahoo.com.br
Introduction:
Our aims in this study were to determine the prevalence of malocclusion stemming from vertical or transversal occlusal alterations in subjects with Down syndrome (DS) and the associations with individual, socioeconomic, and behavioral factors.
Methods:
A cross-sectional study was carried out with 112 pairs of mothers and their children with DS between 3 and 18 years of age attending a genetics clinic at a public hospital in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Data were collected with a questionnaire given to the mothers and a clinical examination of the child or adolescent. Univariate, bivariate, and multiple logistic regression (backward stepwise) analyses were conducted.
Results:
The results showed a prevalence of malocclusion in 74% of the sample. After the adjustment of the logistic regression model, these variables--age, nail or finger biting habit, mouth posture, and cold or sore-throat episodes in the previous 6 months--were associated with the prevalence of malocclusions in these subjects.
Conclusions:
The data demonstrate a high prevalence of malocclusions stemming from vertical or transversal occlusal alterations in children and adolescents with DS. Age, nail or finger biting, mouth posture, and upper airway infections were related to malocclusions in these patients.
Related Concept Videos
Meiosis vs. Mitosis
Before the start of mitosis and meiosis I, the cell synthesizes DNA, resulting in two homologous copies of each chromosome. DNA synthesis is...
Meiosis I
Teeth
In the bud stage, the tooth germ (an aggregation of cells) starts to form in the developing jawbone. During the cap stage, the tooth germ differentiates into enamel organ, dental papilla, and dental sac, which will later develop into the tooth's enamel, dentin and...
Nondisjunction
Nondisjunction
Nondisjunction

