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Mineralization defects in deciduous teeth of low birthweight infants
Insights
Low birthweight infants with enamel hypoplasia received less breast milk in their first week. Respiratory distress syndrome (IRDS) was linked to defects, with winter births showing higher prevalence.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Dentistry
- Neonatology
- Nutritional Science
Background:
- Mineralization disturbances of deciduous teeth enamel can affect child development.
- Low birthweight (LBW) infants are a vulnerable population susceptible to various health issues.
- Understanding perinatal factors influencing enamel development is crucial for early intervention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between perinatal factors and enamel mineralization defects in low birthweight infants.
- To identify specific neonatal complications and feeding practices associated with enamel hypoplasia.
- To explore seasonal variations in the occurrence of these defects.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of perinatal data from obstetric and neonatal records.
- Examination of enamel mineralization disturbances in deciduous teeth of 91 LBW infants and 48 healthy full-term controls.
- Comparison of breast milk intake during the first week of life between infants with and without enamel defects.
Main Results:
- LBW infants with enamel hypoplasia showed significantly lower breast milk intake in the first week compared to those without defects.
- Infants with Idiopathic Respiratory Distress Syndrome (IRDS) had a higher incidence of enamel defects and lower breast milk intake.
- A seasonal variation was observed, with a higher prevalence of defects in infants born during winter months.
Conclusions:
- The amount of breast milk received during the early neonatal period is a significant factor in the development of enamel mineralization defects in LBW infants.
- IRDS is identified as a perinatal complication associated with these defects.
- Seasonal birth (winter) may also play a role in the prevalence of enamel mineralization disturbances in LBW infants.
Abstract:
A group of 91 children with birthweights below 2000 g and 48 healthy full-term children, reference group, were examined for mineralization disturbances of the enamel of deciduous teeth. Perinatal data were collected retrospectively from obstetric and neonatal records. Within the low birthweight group, children with enamel hypoplasia had on the 5% level a significantly lower intake of breast milk during the first week of life than children without disturbances. The only perinatal complication associated with development of mineralization defects was IRDS. Infants with IRDS, however, had a significantly lower intake of breast milk during the first week of life than low birthweight without IRDS. A low frequency of enamel defects was found in the growth-retarded sub-group of the low birthweight infants. These infants had a significantly higher intake of breast milk during the first week compared to the AGA-group. A seasonal variation was found, with the highest prevalence of mineralization disturbances in infants born during winter months. It is concluded that the occurrence of mineralization defects of the deciduous teeth in LBW infants seems to be dependent upon the amount of breast milk given during the early neonatal period and also possibly in which season of the year they are born.