Oral Health of 7- to 9-Year-Old Children Born Prematurely-A Case-Control Observational Study with Randomized Case Selection.

Background

Along with the long-term sequelae of preterm birth for general health, oral health is potentially influenced by prematurity due to developmental and behavioral peculiarities.

Objectives

This study aimed to compare oral health parameters in the mixed dentition of prematurely and full-term born children.

Methods

Dental caries, developmental defects of enamel (DDE), and gingival inflammation were assessed in 7-to-9-year-old children (n = 38) born preterm (PT) compared to a matched control group born full-term (FT) in Germany. Dental caries was recorded using the International Caries Detection and Assessment System (ICDAS II) and DMFT/dmft-criteria. DDE was scored with modified DDE-Index and periodontal health by Periodontal Screening Index (PSI). Statistical analysis included McNemar's test and Poisson regression. The significance level was p ≤ 0.05.

Results

Caries prevalence was 47.4% in PT and 57.9% in FT. In the primary dentition, FT children were significantly more affected than PT children (1.6 dmft vs. 2.7 dmft; p = 0.035). PT children with extremely low birthweight (ELBW) had the highest caries experience (3.2 dmft; 1.0 DMFT). Prevalence of DDE in primary teeth was significantly higher in PT (55.3%) than in FT children (28.9%; p = 0.008). PSI was 3.8 in PT and 3.3 in FT children, but significantly higher in PT children with ELBW (7.4; p = 0.125).

Conclusions

PT children are at higher risk for DDE in primary teeth and compromised periodontal health than FT children. Children with ELBW are most susceptible for dental caries and gingivitis.