Orofacial characteristics of the very low-birth-weight preterm infants.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the orofacial characteristics of very low-birth-weight preterm infants through anthropometric facial measures, orofacial anteroposterior analysis and the relationship between the gum pads. METHOD: Orofacial examinations was performed in 154 infants, classified into two groups: Group A comprised 54 very low-birth-weight infants who were examined after clinical stabilization and before hospital discharge, and Group B comprised 100 full-term infants. RESULTS: The average anthropometricmeasurements in millimetres for Group A and Group B were as follows: upper third:30.2 and 31.1; middle third: 24.2 and 25.9; lower third: 27.6 and 29.9; facial width: 64.8and 81.4. Regarding the orofacial anteroposterior analysis, the results showed that in99% of these infants, the mandible was in a retrognathic position relative to the maxilla.Group A and Group B had the following distributions of the relationship between thegum pads: overbite-overjet: 43% and 77%; overjet: 39% and 17%; open bite: 15% and3%; end-to-end: 2% and 1%; overbite: both 2%. CONCLUSION: The very low-birth-weight preterm infants showed the upper third with the highest values in the facialharmony analysis, followed by the lower third and the middle third; and exhibited themandible in a retrognathic position relative to the maxilla, and with overbite-overjet themost prevalent type of gum pad relationship. The study emphasizes the importance of orofacial examination during neonatal hospitalization and the investigation of birth weight and gestational age in a multidisciplinary therapeutic approach that includes orofacial neonatal evaluation and actions that promote oral health, besides foster follow-up studies.

Protocolo de atendimento odontológico durante a gestação / Protocol of dental care during pregnancy

A Medicina e a Odontologia recentemente abraçaram decisões clínicas baseadas em evidências para otimizar os resultados da saúde durante o pré-natal, considerando a avaliação da saúde oral como integrante aos demais cuidados médicos durante este período, abrangendo todas as mulheres, independente do trimestre gestacional. Para o sucesso destas ações, as entidades nacionais e internacionais recomendam aos profissionais que utilizem protocolos desenvolvidos com base na literatura científica para favorecer a qualidade e a segurança no atendimento odontológico, a fim de prevenir ou restabelecer a saúde oral da gestante, sem gerar riscos a sua prole.