Might Zika virus-associated microcephaly's severity impact deciduous tooth eruption and orofacial structures?
Fernando Flávio Souza Vaz1, Adriano Referino da Silva Sobrinho2, Fernanda Regina Ribeiro Santos Athayde3
1Multiprofessional Residency Program in Public Health of the Health Secretary of Recife, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil.
Objective:
to investigate the impact of the severity of microcephaly caused by the Zika virus (MCZ) on tooth eruption and orofacial structures of children.
Design:
This case series study developed the research at the Mens Sana Rehabilitation Center, Arcoverde, Brazil. The study included 27 children diagnosed with MCZ. We performed the data collection in June 2018 through a questionnaire answered by the legal guardians, followed by a clinical examination of the children. The data were analyzed by the Mann-Whitney and Fisher's exact tests (p = 0.05).
Results:
The final sample was composed of 20 children. Of these, 13 (35.0%) had severe microcephaly, 5 (30.0%) had altered sequence of tooth eruption, 10 (50.0%) had delayed eruption, and the mean number of decayed teeth was 2.3. The most identified orofacial changes were teeth grinding habit (65.0%), difficult chewing (50.0%), and non-nutritive sucking (50.0%). The Mann-Whitney test showed that the severity of microcephaly did not affect tooth eruption (p = 0.581). The Fisher's exact test showed that the severity of microcephaly was not associated with orofacial changes (p > 0.05).
Conclusions:
The severity of MCZ does not seem to influence changes in deciduous tooth eruption and the presence of orofacial anomalies.
Insights
The severity of microcephaly in children with Zika virus (MCZ) does not impact tooth eruption or orofacial development. This study found no correlation between MCZ severity and dental or oral anomalies.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Dentistry
- Neurology
- Public Health
Background:
- Zika virus infection during pregnancy can cause congenital microcephaly (MCZ).
- MCZ is associated with various developmental abnormalities.
- The specific impact of MCZ severity on dental and orofacial development requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of microcephaly severity in children with Zika virus (MCZ) on tooth eruption.
- To assess the relationship between MCZ severity and orofacial structures in affected children.
Main Methods:
- A case series study was conducted at a rehabilitation center in Brazil.
- Data were collected from 27 children diagnosed with MCZ via guardian questionnaires and clinical examinations.
- Statistical analysis included Mann-Whitney and Fisher's exact tests.
Main Results:
- The study included 20 children with MCZ, 13 experiencing severe microcephaly.
- Delayed tooth eruption (50%) and teeth grinding (65%) were common findings.
- Microcephaly severity did not significantly affect tooth eruption (p=0.581) or orofacial changes (p>0.05).
Conclusions:
- The severity of microcephaly caused by Zika virus does not appear to influence deciduous tooth eruption.
- No association was found between MCZ severity and the presence of orofacial anomalies.
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