Oral conditions in very low and extremely low birth weight children.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the oral conditions in very low birth weight (VLBW) and extremely low birth weight (ELBW) children.

METHODS

Fifty-two VLBW and ELBW 2- to 4-year-old children (V/ELBW group) were evaluated and compared with 52 normal birth weight children (NBW group). The oral examination was performed in accordance with World Health Organization criteria. The parents/guardians answered a structural questionnaire about the children's feeding and oral habits. The prenatal, natal, and neonatal information was obtained from the hospital files.

RESULTS

The enamel defects, such as demarcated opacity and hypoplasia, had a significant association with prematurity and VLBW and ELBW. The breast-feeding and bruxism were more often in the NBW group, whereas nocturnal bottle-feeding, pacifier use, and high frequency of oral hygiene were associated with prematurity and lower birth-weight. V/ELBW group children were at a 12.5 and 6.6 times greater risk of presenting demarcated opacity and hypoplasia, respectively, than NBW children. The risk of presenting nocturnal bottle-feeding, good oral hygiene, and enamel defects was significantly higher for the V/ELBW group.

CONCLUSIONS

Very low birth weight and extremely low birth weight were indicators of enamel defects and contributed to an increase in non-nutritive suction habits, being necessary the establishment of early preventive and interceptive measures, to avoid future severe problems.