Gravidez na adolescência e baixo peso ao nascer: existe associação? / Pregnancy in teenagers and low birthweight infant: is there an association?

OBJETIVO:Verificar a associação entre gravidez na adolescência (dez a 19 anos) e baixo peso ao nascer. MÉTODOS: Estudo transversal realizado em maternidade terciária entre junho de 2000 a junho de 2001. Por sorteio aleatório simples, foram selecionadas mães adolescentes e não adolescentes entrevistadas no primeiro dia após o parto. Aplicou-se a análise multivariada por meio de regressão logística das variáveis implicadas com o baixo peso ao nascer. RESULTADOS: Foram selecionadas 539 duplas (mães e seus respectivos recém-nascidos), sendo 331 (61,4 por cento) mulheres com 20 anos ou mais e 208 (38,5 por cento) abaixo de 20 anos. Entre as adolescentes, 50 bebês (24 por cento) tiveram idade gestacional <37 semanas, enquanto entre as mães acima de 20 anos, 52 (15,7 por cento) eram prematuros (OR 1,58; IC95 por cento 1,00-2,51). Entre as adolescentes, ocorreram 52 (25 por cento) recém-nascidos com peso <2500g e, entre as adultas, 56 (16,9 por cento) tinham baixo peso (OR 1,64; IC95 por cento 1,05-2,56). Entre as que realizaram pré-natal adequado, a ocorrência de baixo peso foi de 12,3 por cento e de 22,1 por cento no grupo cuja assistência foi inadequada. Nesta casuística, a associação encontrada na análise univariada entre baixo peso e mãe adolescente não se manteve na análise multivariada. CONCLUSÕES: Baixo peso ao nascer em gestações na adolescência não pode ser atribuído isoladamente à idade materna.

OBJECTIVE:To study the association between teenage pregnancy (ten to 19 years old) and low birthweight. METHODS: Cross-sectional study carried out at a tertiary center from June 2000 to June 2001. A simple random drawing selected teenagers and adult mothers who were interviewed during the first day after birth. Multivariate analysis using logistic regression of variables related to low birthweight was applied. RESULTS: 539 pairs (mothers and their newborns) were studied - 331 (61.4 percent) women with 20 years old or more and 208 (38.5 percent) <20 years old. Among the adolescents, 50 (24 percent) infants had gestational age <37 weeks, whereas among mothers over 20 years old, 52 (15.7 percent) were preterm (OR 1.58; 95 percentCI 1.00-2.51). Among the adolescent and adult women, there were respectively 52 (25 percent) and 56 (16.9 percent) newborns <2500g (OR 1.64; 95 percentCI 1.05-2.56). Among those who had adequate prenatal care, low birth weight was detected in 12.3 and 22.1 percent of mothers with adequate and inadequate prenatal care, respectively. The association found in the univariate analysis between low birth weight and maternal age was not sustained in the multivariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Low birth weight in teenage pregnancies can not be attributed only to maternal age.

The effectiveness of a novel infant tooth wipe in high caries-risk babies 8 to15 months old.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to assess baby and parental satisfaction and plaque-removal efficacy of a novel infant tooth wipe (Spiffies) in high caries-risk babies. METHODS: Thirty-five healthy and caries-free infants were selected. Babies had never had their teeth cleaned and no primary molars were yet present. Subjects were identified with the risk factor of nightly feeding behaviors. Pre- and postcleaning oral hygiene plaque measurements were recorded and then analyzed by a blinded examiner. A manual toothbrush (Ultra Kids) was used as the control method. Infants' caregivers used their randomly assigned cleaning method without instruction. Babies returned to the clinic after a 48- to 72-hour washout period, and the procedures were repeated before and after use of the alternate method. Parental satisfaction and baby-perceived acceptance were evaluated by a questionnaire and were analyzed at the time of the visit and at bedtime. RESULTS: Both the infant tooth wipe and conventional brushing significantly reduced plaque levels (P < .001). Parents were more satisfied with the wipes when compared to toothbrushing, particularly after nightly feeding habits (P < .001). Similarly, infant's acceptance was higher with the wipes at daytime and significantly higher at night-time (P = .002). CONCLUSIONS: The Novel novel Infant infant Tooth tooth Wipe wipe provides an effective method of plaque removal before the eruption of primary molars.