Cíntia Regina Tornisiello Katz

Non-nutritive sucking habits, dental malocclusions, and facial morphology in Brazilian children: a longitudinal study.

The aim of this longitudinal study was to assess the relationship between non-nutritive sucking habits and the presence of anterior open bites (AOBs) and posterior crossbites and their association with facial morphology among 4- to 6-year-old children attending state schools in the city of Recife, Brazil. The sample comprised 287 children, both males and females. The proportion of boys to girls was approximately 50 per cent. The average age was 4 years 5 months at the beginning and 6 years 6 months at the end of the study. Data were collected from interviews with mothers or carers, and the clinical examination was carried out by two calibrated examiners. Statistical analysis was undertaken using bivariate analysis, Pearsons chi-square, McNemar, and Stuart-Maxwell tests. The results revealed a significant reduction in AOB (P < 0.001) and a slight increase in the prevalence of posterior crossbites. Both occlusal traits were associated with a previous history of sucking habits. The most prevalent morphological facial type, assessed using the morphological facial index, was high (> or =88 mm) and a statistically significant (P = 0.02) association was found between facial morphology and an AOB. Children with an average or high facial morphology measurement exhibited a greater prevalence of AOB when compared with those with lower measurements. Self-correction of AOB was associated with cessation of sucking habits but facial morphology remained unaltered.

Prevalence of dental trauma in deciduous teeth of Brazilian children

The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of dental trauma as compared to the prevalence of dental caries in children aged 3-59 months. A cross-sectional study was carried out during the National Immunization Day for Polio in Recife, northeast Brazil. The sample comprised 3489 children under the age of 5. The clinical examination was performed by 123 previously trained dental students. The inter-examiner agreement for crown fracture was 90.32% and for tooth discoloration it was 83.87%. The prevalence of dental caries was assessed using the dmf-t index. The statistical methods included descriptive analysis and the chi-square test with a margin of error of 5%. A total of 56 142 teeth were examined and the prevalence of dental trauma was 14.9%. Dental fracture was the most prevalent injury observed in 516 teeth (0.9%), followed by discoloration in 191 (0.9%), intrusion in 12 (0.02%) and extrusion in five (0.008%). The most affected teeth were the upper central incisors. The prevalence of dental trauma increased significantly with age and family income (P < 0.0001). Dental trauma was most prevalent from 2 to 5 years of age. The prevalence of dental caries was 14.3%. This prevalence increased significantly with age (P < 0.0001) and with the reduction in family income (P < 0.0001). The results showed that the prevalence of dental caries and dental trauma was similar, and that both caused the same amount of damage to dental health for the target population.

Non-nutritive sucking habits, anterior open bite and associated factors in Brazilian children aged 30-59 months.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the prevalence of non-nutritive sucking habits and anterior open bite as well as their main causes (associated factors) in Brazilian children aged 30-59 months. A cross-sectional study was carried out during the National Immunization Day for polio in the city of Recife in the northeastern region of Brazil. The sample was made up of 1,308 children. Data were collected from interviews with mothers or guardians as well as from clinical examinations carried out by previously trained dental students. The chi-square test was used for statistical analysis at 5% significance level. The prevalence of non-nutritive sucking habits was 40%, and the habits were associated with gender (p=0.001), age (p=0.003) and feeding type (p<0.001). Anterior open bite was detected in 30.4% of children, and it was significantly associated with feeding type (p<0.001) and non-nutritive sucking habits (p<0.001). The variables found to be associated factors in the present study for the occurrence of non-nutritive sucking habits and anterior open bite emphasize the need to establish strategies that include orientation regarding health promotion based on the “common determining factors” approach. Public health policies should be adopted to encourage a longer duration of breastfeeding, thereby contributing towards reducing the prevalence of non-nutritive sucking habits and anterior open bite.

Prevalence of a posterior crossbite and sucking habits in Brazilian children aged 18–59 months

This cross-sectional study aimed to assess the prevalence of posterior crossbites and non-nutritive sucking habits in 2750 Brazilian children aged from 18 to 59 months. The data were collected by 123 previously trained dental students and recorded on a response card according to the model developed by the Forsyth Institute, Boston, Maryland, USA, for optical reading. Information concerning sucking habits and family income was obtained during an interview with a parent or guardian. A clinical examination was also undertaken. Statistical analysis included chi-square and Fishers exact tests. A posterior crossbite was observed as early as 18 months of age. The prevalence of a posterior crossbite was 10.4 per cent and was associated with age (P = 0.00) and with sucking habits (P = 0.01). The prevalence of sucking habits was 43.5 per cent. A posterior crossbite was not associated with socio-economic status (P = 0.38). While sucking habits were common among the age group studied (43.5 per cent), only a small percentage exhibited a posterior crossbite. These results suggest that further investigations into other aetiological factors, in particular genetics and respiratory problems, are necessary to provide more evidence that could clarify this issue.

Space changes after premature loss of deciduous molars among Brazilian children.

INTRODUCTION The use of space maintainers after the premature loss of deciduous molars is routine in pediatric dentistry. However, there is a need for evidence offering a better scientific basis for prescribing these appliances. In this study, we aimed to assess dimensional changes in the dental arches after the premature loss of deciduous molars. METHODS A sample of 55 children between 6 and 9 years of age with unilateral loss of either first or second molars was followed for 10 months by clinical examination, cast analysis, and radiographic analysis. The space in the extraction site, arch length, and hemi-perimeter of the extraction and control sides were measured. Intraexaminer agreement was high (0.990). The data were analyzed by using the F test (analysis of variance), Bonferroni test, least significant difference, and Student t test. RESULTS Only the group of children with premature loss of the mandibular second deciduous molars exhibited significant dimensional alterations during the follow-up. CONCLUSIONS The findings emphasize a need for the judicious indication for space maintainers. The major effect on the dental arches occurred in the first 3 months after the extraction of the deciduous molars, indicating that these appliances should be fitted during this period.

Anterior open bite: a case–control study

OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to assess the influence of sucking habits and facial pattern measurements on the development of anterior open bite (AOB). METHODS A case-control study was carried out on 60 children aged 7 and 8 years attending municipal public schools in the city of Recife, Brazil. Data collection included interviews with guardians, oral examinations, and facial growth pattern analysis using cephalometric radiographs. The following cephalometric measurements were assessed: SN.Gn, SN.GoGn, FMA, and Facial Axis. Statistical analyses were performed using the Students t-test and Pearsons chi-square test at a 5% level of significance. RESULTS The percentage of children with sucking habits in the case group was much higher than in the control group (53.3%vs 16.7%) (P = 0.003). Children with sucking habits were six times more likely to develop AOB. Regarding the measurements assessed, no statistically significant differences were observed between groups. CONCLUSION This study found no evidence that variations in cephalometric angles (SN.Gn, FMA, SN.GoGn, and facial axis) are risk factors for AOB. Only sucking habits demonstrated a positive correlation with an increased AOB.

Ocorrência de hábitos bucais deletérios em crianças da região metropolitana do Recife, Pernambuco, Brasil

Resumen pt: Objetivo: Conhecer a frequencia e os tipos de habitos bucais deleterios em um grupo de criancas de 5 a 12 anos residentes na Regiao Metropolitana do Reci...

Representação social da violência sexual e sua relação com a adesão ao protocolo de quimioprofilaxia do HIV em mulheres jovens e adolescentes

The scope of this study was to understand the social representations of sexual violence and its relationship with adherence to the chemoprophylaxis protocol of HIV in young women and adolescents. Qualitative research was conducted based on the theory of social representations through recorded interviews with 13 female subjects aged between 12 and 23. It was observed that the social representations about sexual violence exerted a considerable influence on adherence to chemoprophylaxis treatment in the group. The individuals surveyed elaborated images in which the concern caused to the family, discomfort caused by the effects of drugs, change of routine, fear of getting sick, being stigmatized, anxiety and anger, appeared as constant elements, which can lead to the abandonment of treatment. Considering the influence of these representations on treatment, there is a need for greater attention of the health services in relation to these possibilities, and for resources to ensure care based on these different needs. In addition to investing in research into new drugs, it is necessary to invest in qualitative research, providing input for more appropriate care for patients.

Suicide attempts by exogenous intoxication among female adolescents treated at a reference hospital in the city of Recife-PE, Brazil

This study aimed to assess cases of self-inflicted poisoning among adolescents reported by the Toxicological Care Center of a reference hospital in Recife-PE, Brazil. The data were collected between March and May 2010 from hospital charts and structured interviews with the participants and parents/guardians. Among the 25 cases of attempted suicide registered in the period, 21 were female adolescents, who made up the sample of the present study. The adolescents were between 13 and 19 years of age. Pesticides were the most frequent toxic agent used (61.9%). The results of the present study underscore the importance of studying suicide in this population, with a focus on family relations, in order to lay the foundation for the development of prevention and treatment programs for this vulnerable group.Este estudo objetivou avaliar os casos de intoxicacao exogena ocorridos em adolescentes notificados pelo Centro de Assistencia Toxicologica de um hospital de Recife/PE. Trata-se de um estudo preliminar, exploratorio, realizado no periodo de marco a maio de 2010. Dos 25 casos de tentativas de suicidio notificados no periodo estudado, 21 eram de adolescentes do sexo feminino, que compuseram a amostra. Observou-se que as adolescentes apresentavam idades entre 13 e 19 anos. A intoxicacao exogena pelo uso de praguicidas foi a mais frequente (61,9%). Esses resultados chamam a atencao para a importância do estudo do suicidio nesta populacao, sobretudo com enfoque nas relacoes familiares, para embasar o desenvolvimento de programas de prevencao e tratamento para este grupo mais vulneravel.

Ocorrência de hábitos orais e maloclusões em crianças com fissuras lábio-palatinas

Objetivo: Avaliar a ocorrencia de habitos orais e maloclusoes em criancas de dois a cinco anos de idade, atendidas em um centro de referencia do Nordeste do Brasil. Metodo: Uma amostra de 120 criancas previamente submetidas a cirurgia reparadora foi composta por livre demanda no periodo de agosto a novembro de 2010. Os dados foram coletados por meio de entrevistas com os responsaveis e exames clinicos. Estes ultimos foram realizados por uma unica examinadora calibrada (Kappa intraexaminador de 0,981; Kappa em relacao ao padrao-ouro de 0,975). Foi avaliada a ocorrencia dos habitos de succao digital e de chupeta, bruxismo e onicofagia; e a ocorrencia das maloclusoes mordida aberta anterior e mordida cruzada posterior. Para a analise estatistica foram utilizadas tecnicas de estatistica descritiva e os testes Qui-Quadrado de Pearson e Exato de Fischer. O nivel de significância adotado foi de 5%. Resultados: A ocorrencia de habitos de succao nao-nutritiva na amostra estudada foi de 29,2%. Os habitos de onicofagia e bruxismo foram observados em 20,0% da amostra. A ocorrencia de mordida cruzada posterior foi alta (31,7%) e esteve associada ao tipo de fissura transforame (p<0,05); as criancas com este tipo de fissura apresentaram quase dez vezes mais mordida cruzada posterior que as demais. A ocorrencia de mordida aberta anterior foi baixa (8,3%). Nenhuma das maloclusoes avaliadas foi associada a presenca de habitos de succao. Conclusao: Em pacientes com fissuras labio-palatinas, a ocorrencia de maloclusoes como a mordida cruzada posterior e a mordida aberta anterior esta mais ligada a gravidade das deformidades anatomofuncionais inerentes a fissura do que a presenca de fatores ambientais como os habitos de succao.