Eruption of the first deciduous tooth in preterm infants: a 12-month follow-up

Abstract 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.

摘要：研究目的 分析新生儿重症监护病房（Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, NICU）早产婴儿的第一颗乳牙萌出年龄，并探讨其与出生相关及出生后相关因素的关联。材料与方法 本研究为前瞻性纵向研究，纳入来自新生儿重症监护病房的早产儿共215例。纳入标准为早产，排除标准为失访新生儿及患有先天性综合征/畸形的新生儿，最终剩余62名研究对象。所有检查均由同一名操作者完成。数据采用SPSS软件进行处理，并通过描述性与比较性统计学方法开展分析。结果 以实际年龄计算时，仅1名婴儿在6月龄时出现下切牙萌出。与文献报道的正常萌出标准相比，60%的婴儿存在乳牙萌出延迟现象；但若以早产校正年龄进行分析，则萌出延迟的比例降至32%。在出生相关与出生后相关因素中，乳牙萌出延迟与出生体重、胎龄、婴儿性别、母乳喂养情况、手指/安抚奶嘴吮吸习惯、母亲受教育程度及家庭收入均无显著关联。以早产校正年龄分析时，胎龄小于胎龄儿（small for gestational age, SGA）的乳牙萌出延迟发生率最高（p=0.006）。结论 以实际年龄评估时，早产儿的第一颗乳牙萌出存在延迟现象；但若采用针对早产的校正年龄进行评估，则未观察到萌出延迟。在出生相关与出生后相关因素中，仅体重与胎龄的匹配关系会影响乳牙萌出年龄。