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Effect of Neonatal Factors on the Eruption of Primary Teeth in Children: A Longitudinal Prospective Cohort Study
Indira M Devraj1, Bhojraj Nandlal1, Doddaiah Narayanappa2
1Department of Pediatric & Preventive Dentistry, JSS Dental College & Hospital, JSS Academy of Higher Education & Research (Deemed to be University), Mysuru, Karnataka, India.
Insights
Neonatal factors like birth weight and feeding significantly influence primary tooth eruption in preterm infants. This research highlights key elements for preventive oral health strategies in this vulnerable population.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Dentistry
- Neonatal Medicine
- Developmental Biology
Background:
- Primary tooth eruption is a normal physiological process influenced by prenatal and neonatal factors.
- Neonatal factors such as gestational age (GA), prematurity, illness severity, and birth weight are crucial for tooth eruption timing.
- Prospective data on neonatal factors affecting primary tooth eruption in Indian preterm infants are limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of various neonatal factors on the eruption timeline of primary teeth in preterm children.
- To identify specific neonatal characteristics associated with delayed or altered primary tooth eruption.
Main Methods:
- A prospective longitudinal cohort study involving 150 preterm infants followed from birth to 36 months.
- Regular intraoral examinations to record the presence of erupted teeth.
- Statistical analysis including t-tests, chi-squared tests, and multivariate regression to assess associations.
Main Results:
- The mandibular central incisor was the first primary tooth to erupt.
- Significant determinants for mandibular incisor eruption in preterm infants included parity, birth weight, birth length, weight for GA, and complementary feeding.
- Maternal parity, weight for GA, and complementary feeding were significant for term infants.
Conclusions:
- Neonatal factors, specifically birth weight, birth length, weight for GA, and the introduction of complementary feeding, show a strong, significant association with primary tooth eruption.
- These findings are vital for guiding preventive oral health management in preterm children.
Introduction:
Eruption of first primary teeth is a normal physiological process. Antenatal nutritional deficiency and prenatal and neonatal factors play an important role in eruption of primary teeth. Neonatal factors, such as gestational age (GA), degree of prematurity, severity of neonatal illness, and birth weight are primarily related to eruption of primary teeth. The relation between neonatal factors and the timing of eruption of primary teeth has not been studied prospectively among Indian preterm infants.
Aims:
To evaluate the influence of neonatal factors on the eruption of primary teeth in children born preterm.
Materials And Methods:
A prospective longitudinal cohort study design was adopted. A total of 150 subjects were recruited by simple random sampling. Each child was followed up from birth up to 36 months. Intraoral examination was done and the teeth present in each visit were recorded. Data were statistically analyzed and interpreted.
Statistical Analysis Used:
Descriptive statistics, t-tests for independent sample, and Pearson's chi-squared tests were applied. Tooth showing statistically significant difference in mean age of eruption between term and preterm categories was studied for the effect of maternal and neonatal characteristics on eruption using multivariate regression analysis.
Results:
The mandibular central incisor was the first tooth to erupt. Significant determinant of eruption of mandibular incisor in term children was found to be parity, weight for GA, and complementary feeding, whereas for preterm children, significant determinants were parity, birth weight birth length, weight for GA, and complementary feeding.
Conclusion:
Neonatal factors, such as birth weight, birth length, weight for GA, and introduction of complementary feeding have a strong significant association with the eruption of primary teeth.
Clinical Significance:
The findings of this study will guide in the preventive management of oral health in preterm children.
How To Cite This Article:
Indira MD, Nandlal B, Narayanappa D, et al. Effect of Neonatal Factors on the Eruption of Primary Teeth in Children: A Longitudinal Prospective Cohort Study. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2023;16(2):321-326.
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