Maturation of primary and permanent teeth in preterm infants
M C Backströma, L Aineb, R Mäkia, A-L Kuuselaa, H Sievänenc, A-M Koivistod, R-S Ikonena, M Mäkie
a Department of
Paediatrics, Tampere University Hospital, Tampere, Finland, b Department of Otorhinolaryngology and
Maxillofacial Surgery, University of Tampere, c UKK Institute, PoB 30, Fin-33501, Tampere, d Tampere
School of Public Health, University of Tampere, e Institute of Medical Technology and Medical
School, University of Tampere
Correspondence to: Dr M Backström, Karlebyvägen 1457, 66530, Kvevlax, Finland email: maria.backstrom{at}pp.qnet.fi
Accepted 24 February
2000
AIMS
To elucidate the
development of primary and permanent teeth and to interpret the effect
of different calcium, phosphorus, and vitamin D supplementation in the
neonatal period on dental maturation in preterm children.
METHODSPreterm
infants were randomised to four groups to receive a vitamin D dose of
500 or 1000 IU/day and calcium and phosphorus supplemented or
unsupplemented breast milk. The maturity of the primary and permanent
teeth was recorded in 30 preterm children. Sixty children aged 2 years
and 60 children aged 9-11 years served as controls. Bone mineral
content/density was assessed in the preterm infants.
RESULTSThe median
(range) corrected teething age was 7 (2-16) months in preterm infants
and 6 (2-12) months in controls (p = 0.43). The median (range)
number of erupted teeth at 2 years of age was 16 (11-19) in preterm
infants and 16 (12-20) in controls (p = 0.16). Maturation of the
permanent teeth in the preterm infants was not delayed compared with
the controls (mean Demirjian SDS 0.16 v
0.49, p = 0.14). Early dietary intake of either mineral or vitamin D
did not affect maturation of the primary dentition in preterm children.
Children receiving the higher vitamin D dose in the neonatal period had
more mature permanent dentition than those receiving the lower dose,
but mineral intake did not affect maturation of the permanent teeth.
Dental maturation did not correlate with bone mineral status.
CONCLUSIONSThis is
the first longitudinal study to follow primary and permanent tooth
maturation in the same preterm children. Premature birth has no
appreciable late sequelae in tooth maturation.
Keywords: dental maturation; preterm; calcium; vitamin D; teeth
© 2000 by Archives of Disease in Childhood
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Child health
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Dentistry and oral medicine
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Infant health
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Infant nutrition (including breastfeeding)
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