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

<b>Background:</b> 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. <b>Objectives:</b> This study aimed to compare oral health parameters in the mixed...

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Main Authors: Heide L. Schlesinger, Roswitha Heinrich-Weltzien, Ina M. Schüler
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-12-01
Series:Dentistry Journal
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2304-6767/12/12/421
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author Heide L. Schlesinger
Roswitha Heinrich-Weltzien
Ina M. Schüler
author_facet Heide L. Schlesinger
Roswitha Heinrich-Weltzien
Ina M. Schüler
author_sort Heide L. Schlesinger
collection DOAJ
description <b>Background:</b> 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. <b>Objectives:</b> This study aimed to compare oral health parameters in the mixed dentition of prematurely and full-term born children. <b>Methods:</b> Dental caries, developmental defects of enamel (DDE), and gingival inflammation were assessed in 7-to-9-year-old children (<i>n</i> = 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 <i>p</i> ≤ 0.05. <b>Results:</b> 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; <i>p</i> = 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%; <i>p</i> = 0.008). PSI was 3.8 in PT and 3.3 in FT children, but significantly higher in PT children with ELBW (7.4; <i>p</i> = 0.125). <b>Conclusions:</b> 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.
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spelling doaj-art-2968abde1ab94cf9b01f828e15c00c4b2024-12-27T14:20:27ZengMDPI AGDentistry Journal2304-67672024-12-01121242110.3390/dj12120421Oral Health of 7- to 9-Year-Old Children Born Prematurely—A Case–Control Observational Study with Randomized Case SelectionHeide L. Schlesinger0Roswitha Heinrich-Weltzien1Ina M. Schüler2Section of Preventive and Pediatric Dentistry, Department of Orthodontics, Jena University Hospital, 07743 Jena, GermanySection of Preventive and Pediatric Dentistry, Department of Orthodontics, Jena University Hospital, 07743 Jena, GermanySection of Preventive and Pediatric Dentistry, Department of Orthodontics, Jena University Hospital, 07743 Jena, Germany<b>Background:</b> 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. <b>Objectives:</b> This study aimed to compare oral health parameters in the mixed dentition of prematurely and full-term born children. <b>Methods:</b> Dental caries, developmental defects of enamel (DDE), and gingival inflammation were assessed in 7-to-9-year-old children (<i>n</i> = 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 <i>p</i> ≤ 0.05. <b>Results:</b> 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; <i>p</i> = 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%; <i>p</i> = 0.008). PSI was 3.8 in PT and 3.3 in FT children, but significantly higher in PT children with ELBW (7.4; <i>p</i> = 0.125). <b>Conclusions:</b> 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.https://www.mdpi.com/2304-6767/12/12/421dental cariesdevelopmental defects of enamelprematurity
spellingShingle Heide L. Schlesinger
Roswitha Heinrich-Weltzien
Ina M. Schüler
Oral Health of 7- to 9-Year-Old Children Born Prematurely—A Case–Control Observational Study with Randomized Case Selection
Dentistry Journal
dental caries
developmental defects of enamel
prematurity
title Oral Health of 7- to 9-Year-Old Children Born Prematurely—A Case–Control Observational Study with Randomized Case Selection
title_full Oral Health of 7- to 9-Year-Old Children Born Prematurely—A Case–Control Observational Study with Randomized Case Selection
title_fullStr Oral Health of 7- to 9-Year-Old Children Born Prematurely—A Case–Control Observational Study with Randomized Case Selection
title_full_unstemmed Oral Health of 7- to 9-Year-Old Children Born Prematurely—A Case–Control Observational Study with Randomized Case Selection
title_short Oral Health of 7- to 9-Year-Old Children Born Prematurely—A Case–Control Observational Study with Randomized Case Selection
title_sort oral health of 7 to 9 year old children born prematurely a case control observational study with randomized case selection
topic dental caries
developmental defects of enamel
prematurity
url https://www.mdpi.com/2304-6767/12/12/421
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AT roswithaheinrichweltzien oralhealthof7to9yearoldchildrenbornprematurelyacasecontrolobservationalstudywithrandomizedcaseselection
AT inamschuler oralhealthof7to9yearoldchildrenbornprematurelyacasecontrolobservationalstudywithrandomizedcaseselection