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Deformation of the palate in preterm infants
A M Procter1, D Lether, R G Oliver
1Department of Child Health, University of Wales College of Medicine, Heath Park, Cardiff.
Insights
Prolonged orotracheal intubation in newborns causes a minor, temporary increase in palate depth. This effect is unlikely to be the cause of palatal grooving in infants.
Area of Science:
- Neonatalogy
- Craniofacial development
- Pediatric medicine
Background:
- Palate morphology in newborns is influenced by various factors.
- Understanding these influences is crucial for assessing infant oral health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of gestation, postmenstrual age, and orotracheal intubation on palate morphology in newborns.
- To determine the relationship between these factors and palatal dimensions.
Main Methods:
- A prospective study involving 76 newborn infants (25-41 weeks' gestation).
- Palate dimensions measured from plaster models of serial palatal impressions.
- Palatal Index (palate depth to width ratio) used to assess relative palate size.
Main Results:
- Palate depth and width correlated with postmenstrual age and gestation.
- Palatal Index showed wide variation but was not affected by gestation or postmenstrual age.
- Prolonged intubation (>10 days) resulted in a transient, minor increase (<2 mm) in palatal depth at 32 weeks' postmenstrual age.
Conclusions:
- Prolonged orotracheal intubation (>10 days) causes a small, temporary increase in palatal depth.
- This intubation effect is unlikely to explain palatal grooving, which may stem from lateral palatine ridge overgrowth.
Aim:
To investigate the effect of gestation, postmenstrual age, and orotracheal intubation on palate morphology.
Methods:
A prospective study was made of 76 newborn infants of 25 to 41 weeks' gestation. Palate dimensions were measured on plaster models produced from serial palatal impressions. Palate size relative to that of the mouth was assessed using a ratio of palate depth to palate width (Palatal Index).
Results:
Palate depth and width were related to postmenstrual age and gestation. Palatal Index ranged from 0.15 to 0.57, indicating a wide variation in palate shape, but gestation and postmenstrual age had no effect. Prolonged intubation had a small effect, equivalent to an increase in palatal depth of less than 2 mm at 32 weeks' postmenstrual age. The effect was transient.
Conclusion:
Prolonged orotracheal intubation (> 10 days) leads to a small and temporary increase in palatal depth. However, this is unlikely to account for palatal grooving, which is probably caused by an overgrowth of the lateral palatine ridges.