Elâine Cristina Vargas Dadalto

Natal tooth in preterm newborn: a case report

ABSTRACT Low birth weight and prematurity may be associated with delayed dental eruption in the deciduous dentition; notwithstanding this relationship, cases of preterm newborns presenting natal or neonatal teeth have been reported in the literature, although this is a rare occurrence. The objective was to present the report of natal tooth in a preterm newborn, analyzing the uniqueness of this case in contrast to the delayed dental eruption usually observed in association with prematurity. Case report: The newborn infant girl, with a gestational age of 36 weeks and 3 days and birth weight of 2,300 g, was attended to as part of the “Strategies for Oral Health Promotion for Infants” project, linked to the Pediatric Dentistry course at the Federal University of Espirito Santo. The newborn infant was referred by the neonatology and pediatric department of the university hospital as she presented an erupted tooth at birth. Clinical examination, in the region corresponding to the lower central incisors, revealed the presence of an erupted natal tooth and homologous tooth covered in gingival tissue. The periapical radiograph confirmed teeth 71 and 81. Since they were well implanted and did not interfere with breastfeeding, these teeth were retained. The mother was instructed to return if there were ulcerations in the infant’s tongue or nipple fissures, with the use of negative reporting regarding the occurrence of alterations up to two months of age. The occurrence of natal tooth teeth is rare, but they may be present in the preterm newborn, despite the association between prematurity and delayed dental eruption in the deciduous dentition.Indexing term: Infant, premature. Natal teeth. Tooth eruption.

Erupção do primeiro dente decíduo em lactentes nascidos pré-termo: acompanhamento de 12 meses

Objective: To analyze the eruption age of the first deciduous tooth of preterm infants from the neonatal intensive care unit and to relate with natal and postnatal factors. Material and method: This prospective longitudinal study was conducted with infants from neonatal intensive care units (n=215). The inclusion criterion was prematurity and exclusion was the unavailability for follow-up and newborns with congenital syndromes/malformations, with 62 participants remaining. The exam was performed by a single operator. Data were processed by SPSS and by descriptive and comparative statistics. Result: When considering the chronological age, only one infant presented erupted lower incisors at 6 months. Eruption delay (60%) can be verified when compared to the standard reported in the literature. However, when analyzed by adjusted age for prematurity, this delay was less frequent (32%). Among the natal and postnatal factors, the eruption delay was not related to birth weight, gestational age, sex, breastfeeding, finger/pacifier sucking, maternal schooling and family income. The greatest frequency of eruption delay by adjusted age occurred in cases in which the infant was considered small for the gestational age (p=0.006). Conclusion: The eruption of the first deciduous tooth in preterm infants presented with delay, when assessed by chronological age. However, there was no delay when the corrected age for prematurity was used. Among the natal and postnatal factors, only the weight/gestational age relationship influenced the age of eruption. Descriptors: Tooth eruption; tooth, deciduous; infant, premature. Rev Odontol UNESP. 2018 May-June; 47(3): 168-174 Erupção do primeiro dente... 169 169/174

CONHECIMENTOS SOBRE BENEFÍCIOS DO ALEITAMENTO MATERNO E DESVANTAGENS DA CHUPETA RELACIONADOS À PRÁTICA DAS MÃES AO LIDAR COM RECÉM-NASCIDOS PRÉ-TERMO.

ABSTRACT Objective: To evaluate the knowledge and expectations of mothers of preterm newborn infants admitted in a neonatal intensive care unit about breastfeeding and pacifier use, and to analyze their experience in dealing with the sucking urge in the first months of life. Methods: Mothers were interviewed during hospitalization of the newborn in the neonatal intensive care unit and when the infant was six months old. All mothers with availability to participate in the study were included. Exclusion criteria comprised infants with syndromes and neurological disorders and mothers with cognitive impairment, depression, and drug users. Data were analyzed with the SPSS software, with descriptive statistics and chi-square test. Results: Sixty-two mothers were interviewed in the beginning and 52 at a six-month follow-up. Mothers’ expectations concerning breastfeeding were positive when they listed the benefits to the mother (90.3%) and infant (100%). However, they had difficulties maintaining exclusive breastfeeding and used the baby bottle (75.0%), which most mothers (69.4%) had already acquired before the infant was born. The fact of having a pacifier in the infant’s layette (43.6%) did not influence its use (p=0.820). This also occurred among mothers who said they would not offer the pacifier due to disadvantages to the mother (80.7%) and infant (96.8%). The previous expectation that the pacifier could bring benefits for mother and infant did not affect its use (p=0.375 and p=0.158). Conclusions: Mothers demonstrated prior knowledge about breastfeeding benefits and disadvantages of the pacifiers. However, they changed their view when dealing with the infant and introduced bottles and pacifiers.