Effects of maternal, gestational, and perinatal variables on neonatal line width observed in a modern UK birth cohort

Abstract

Objectives: The objective of this study was to explore potential relationships between neonatal line (NNL) width and early life history variables such as maternal health, gestation, the birth process, and perinatal health. Materials and methods: Histological thin sections of deciduous canines were studied from 71 children from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC). The width of the NNL was measured in three locations on the tooth crown using spatial mapping techniques (ArcGIS) from digital images from an Olympus VS-120 microscope. Life history variables were collected prospectively through a combination of clinical observations and questionnaires.Results: Infants born late term or post term had narrower neonatal lines than those born prematurely or at full term. Infants born in Autumn (September to November) had narrower NNLs than those born at other times of year. NNLs in infants born to mothers with hypertension were wider than those without. Infants resuscitated at birth or born to obese mothers had narrower NNLs than those that were not. There was no association between NNL width and either the type or duration of delivery.Discussion: The NNL in enamel is an irregular accentuated line, but the factors underlying its formation and width remain unclear. In contrast to some previous studies, we found no association between wider NNLs and long or difficult births. Instead, we found that the width of the neonatal line NNL varied in relation to parameters that reflected the prenatal environment and length of gestation.

Assessment of physiological disturbances during pre‐ and early postnatal development based on microscopic analysis of human deciduous teeth from the Late Epipaleolithic site of Shubayqa 1 (Jordan)

“…Disturbances of prenatal enamel formation have been linked to various conditions including maternal dietary deficiencies, maternal diabetes or infections during pregnancy (Birch & Dean, 2014; Lorentz et al, 2019; Nava et al, 2017b; Norén, 1984). In their study, Hassett et al (2020) recorded an association between the width of the NNL and season of birth, gestational age and maternal metabolic disturbances during pregnancy, but not with duration and type of delivery or early neonatal life conditions.…”

“…The NNL is considered a marker of birth-related stress and/or negative influences prevailing during the gestational period that is present in teeth forming over the birth period (Hassett et al, 2020). is survived for only a few days and very little postnatal enamel is formed (Hillson, 2014;Whittaker & Richards, 1978;Witzel, 2014b).…”

“…There is evidence to suggest that young ameloblasts are less susceptible to stress than ameloblasts in later stages of their secretory lifespan (Witzel et al, 2006(Witzel et al, , 2008. This reasoning has recently been used to explain the variation in appearance of the NNL along the cuspal to cervical crown axis (Hassett et al, 2020;Hurnanen et al, 2019). Determining whether individuals were born full-term or preterm, in conjunction with evidence of pre-and postnatal growth impairments, may provide insights into the overall health situation of past populations (Halcrow, Tayles, & Elliott, 2017).…”

“…A specific type of AL is the neonatal line (NNL) that is considered a marker of perinatal stress in teeth forming at birth and identifies individuals that survived birth for a certain period (Antoine et al, 2009; Eli, Sarnat, & Talmi, 1989; Gustafson & Gustafson, 1967; Schour, 1936; Weber & Eisenmann, 1971; Witzel, 2014a, 2014b; Zanolli, Bondioli, Manni, Rossi, & Macchiarelli, 2011). The micromorphology and the width of the NNL in enamel vary widely (Eli et al, 1989; Gustafson & Gustafson, 1967; Hassett et al, 2020; Rushton, 1933; Schour, 1936; Weber & Eisenmann, 1971; Witzel, 2014a; Zanolli et al, 2011). As discussed by Hassett et al (2020), the appearance of the NNL has been related to various factors negatively influencing maternal/fetal and early neonatal health 2020.…”

Estudo epidemiológico dos defeitos de desenvolvimento do esmalte em crianças de 2 a 4 anos de idade do município de Santa Isabel, SP

“…(Eli et al, 1989). Sugere-se que a presença e a largura da linha neonatal estejam relacionadas a variáveis maternas (saúde materna), gestacionais (ambiente fetal), variáveis relacionadas com a vida neonatal e aspectos do processo de nascimento (Behie;Miszkiewicz, 2019;Hassett et al, 2020).…”