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Prenatal and neonatal variables associated with enamel hypoplasia in deciduous teeth in low birth weight preterm
Kátia Maria Dmytraczenko Franco1, Sérgio Roberto Peres Line, Maria Valeriana Leme de Moura-Ribeiro
1Department of Neurology, Medical School, State University of Campinas, Campinas, SP, Brazil.
Insights
Preterm and low birth weight (LBW) infants show higher rates of tooth enamel hypoplasia. Neonatal factors like respiratory distress significantly impact enamel development in these vulnerable children.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Dentistry
- Neonatal Health
- Developmental Biology
Background:
- Tooth enamel hypoplasia is a defect affecting tooth quality.
- Preterm and low birth weight (LBW) infants are a vulnerable population.
- Understanding risk factors for enamel hypoplasia in LBW infants is crucial for early intervention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate prenatal and neonatal variables associated with tooth enamel hypoplasia.
- To compare enamel hypoplasia prevalence in preterm/LBW infants versus term/normal birth weight (NBW) controls.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective medical data collection from hospital records.
- Dental examinations using FDI criteria for children aged 18-35 months.
- Comparison between a group of 61 preterm/LBW infants and 61 term/NBW infants.
Main Results:
- Preterm/LBW infants had significantly higher prevalence of enamel hypoplasia (21.3%) compared to NBW controls (3.3%).
- Maxillary incisors were the most affected teeth.
- Neonatal respiratory distress syndrome and altered neurological examination at discharge were significantly associated with hypoplasia.
Conclusions:
- Preterm birth and low birth weight are significant risk factors for developing tooth enamel hypoplasia.
- Neonatal complications, particularly respiratory issues, play a role in enamel defects.
- Targeted dental monitoring for high-risk infants is recommended.
Abstract:
This study investigated possible prenatal and neonatal variables that may influence the prevalence of tooth enamel hypoplasia in preterm and low birth weight children (LBW) and a matched control group of term children with normal birth weight (NBW). The study sample consisted of 61 children born preterm and with LBW examined at 18-34 months of age. The control group was formed by 61 infants born full term and with NBW examined at 31-35 months of age. All children were born at the Center of Integrated Attention of Women's Health (CAISM-UNICAMP). FDI criteria were followed for dental examination. Medical data was collected retrospectively from hospital records. Among preterms, 57.4% had some type of developmental defects of enamel (DDE), 52.5 % had opacities and 21.3 % presented hypoplasia. Among full-term children, 24.6% presented DDE, 24.6% had opacities and 3.3% had hypoplasia. LBW preterm infants presented a higher prevalence of hypoplasia than NBW controls. The deciduous teeth most affected by hypoplasia were maxillary incisors. There was no significant association with prenatal variables; among neonatal variables there was a significant association with respiratory distress syndrome and neurological examination at discharge with an altered result.
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