Craniofacial Morphology in Prematurely Born Children

Abstract

Objective: To test the null hypothesis that there is no difference between the craniofacial morphology of prematurely born children and that of matched full-term born controls. Materials and Methods: White children 8 to 10 years of age, born at the University Hospitals of Lund and Malmö and living in the same part of Sweden, were included. One group consisted of 36 very preterm children, born during gestational weeks 29 to 32; the other group included 36 extremely preterm children, who were born before the 29th gestational week. Subjects were compared with a control group of 31 full-term children, who were matched for gender, age, nationality, and living area. One lateral head radiograph was taken for each child, and the cephalometric analysis included 15 angular and 11 linear variables. Also, the height, weight, and head circumference of each child were registered. Results: A significantly shorter anterior cranial base and a less convex skeletal profile were found among extremely preterm children, and significantly shorter maxillary length was noted in both extremely preterm and very preterm groups as compared with full-term children. The lower incisors were significantly more retroclined and retruded in the extremely preterm group compared with the very preterm group and the full-term control group. Extremely preterm children were significantly shorter, and both extremely preterm and very preterm children had significantly lower weight and smaller head circumference compared with full-term children. Conclusion: The null hypothesis was rejected because several craniofacial parameters differed significantly between preterm and full-term born control children. (Angle Orthod. 2009;79: 276-283.)

The impact of premature birth on dental maturation in the permanent dentition

“…The study from 2009 with the same study material as this study found a significantly shorter anterior cranial base and a less convex skeletal profile among EPT compared to full-term children. Additionally, EPT and VPT children had significantly shorter maxillary lengths compared to full-term children [5].…”

“…Disturbances in this process may result in a change in the size and shape of the craniofacial complex [24]. Premature birth has been shown to affect the morphology of the craniofacial complex [5]. The Table 4 Dental maturity score within the groups extremely preterm (EPT), very preterm (VPT), and full-term (FT), as calculated from the 5 observers' assessments of 7 left mandibular teeth (teeth 31-37) according to the method of Demirijan et al [15] Mean dental maturity score (SD) formation of tooth 37 is initiated during the second or third year of life.…”

“…Nevertheless, the shorter the gestational period, the higher the risk for morbidity and medical complications [4]. Premature birth has also been shown to affect the morphology of the craniofacial complex and the tooth size [5,6].…”

Mandibular function, temporomandibular disorders, and headache in prematurely born children

“…Moreover, a recent investigation concluded that the prevalence of malocclusion traits and the professionally assessed need of orthodontic treatment were greater in a group of preterm children than in a control group of full-term children [11]. In addition, a number of craniofacial parameters differed significantly between the preterm and full-term born control children [12].…”

Prenatal and Perinatal Burden on Dentoalvelor Development: Awareness of Need for Especial Dentistry Follow Up Program for Premature Neonates

“…Moreover, formerly intubated neonates are more often affected by malocclusion traits and require more orthodontic treatment for growth modification [2,3]. Also, several craniofacial parametric differences exist between formerly mature and premature neonates especially in comparison to extremely premature groups (GA of 29-32 wks) [4]. At the minute trends to early surfactant administration and nasal continuous positive airway pressure (NCPAP) may change the minute.…”