Is the Occurrence of Ankyloglossia in Newborns Associated with Breastfeeding Difficulties?

Background: Ankyloglossia is characterized by abnormal tongue movements that can possibly interfere with breastfeeding due to incorrect latching, pain, nipple fissure, and ineffective suction. Objective: To determine the prevalence of ankyloglossia in newborns and its association with exclusive breastfeeding and early breastfeeding difficulties. Materials and Methods: This is an analytical cross-sectional study conducted in seven public maternity hospitals in the city of Recife, PE, Brazil. The study sample consisted of 822 mothers/newborns of both genders. The diagnosis of ankyloglossia was confirmed by comparing two previously standardized and validated lingual frenulum assessment tools. Information on the mother's socioeconomic profile and breastfeeding difficulties were also collected. The data were analyzed using bivariate and multivariate logistic regression models. Results: The prevalence of ankyloglossia was 2.6% when using the Bristol Tool and 11.7% with the Assessment Tool for Lingual Frenulum Function (Neonatal Tongue Screening Test-NTST). The agreement between the two assessment tools was 2.2%, with a significant difference between them (p < 0.001). There was an association between the occurrence of ankyloglossia and breastfeeding difficulties (odds ratio = 1.99), but no association with exclusive breastfeeding practice was found. Conclusions: The diagnostic tools used herein revealed different prevalence rates of ankyloglossia in newborns. This condition was associated with breastfeeding difficulties, and the NTST was more effective in determining such an association.

Traumatic dental injuries and associated factors among Brazilian preschool children aged 1-5 years

The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of dental trauma in children aged 1 to 5 years old and its associated factors (gender, age group, malocclusion and labial-closing), interviewing parents and guardians for additional information on the trauma occurrence. A transversal study of 820 preschool children from the City of Caruaru, Pernambuco, Brazil was conducted. Data were collected by means of a clinical examination and a structured interview. The statistical analysis included a distribution of frequencies, a bi- and a multi-variate analysis at a significance level of 5%. Trauma prevalence was 20.1%, tooth 61 was the most often affected, and enamel fractures followed by the fractures of the enamel and the dentine were the most frequent alterations. Trauma prevalence was highest in 3- to 5-year-old males with malocclusion (open bite and protrusion) (p<0.05). According to most parents and/or guardians, the most usual etiology was falling and the place most often cited was home. All the variables studied, except for lip coverage, were associated with dental trauma. The outcome of the present study showed high prevalence of dental trauma in a pediatric population under the age of 5 years. Falls and accidental collisions were the etiological factors most often cited. The front upper incisors were the teeth most often affected, and enamel fracture was the trauma most often observed.

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a prevalencia de trauma dentario em criancas de 1 a 5 anos de idade e os fatores associados (genero, faixa etaria, maloclusao e selamento labial), por meio de entrevistas com os pais e responsaveis para a obtencao de informacoes adicionais sobre a ocorrencia do trauma. Um estudo transversal com 820 pre-escolares foi realizado na cidade de Caruaru, Pernambuco, Brasil. Os dados foram coletados por meio de exame clinico e de uma entrevista estruturada. A analise estatistica incluiu a distribuicao de frequencias, analise bi e multi-variada com um nivel de significancia de 5%. A prevalencia de trauma foi de 20,1%, sendo o dente 61 o mais afetado e as fraturas de esmalte e fraturas de esmalte e dentina as alteracoes mais frequentes. A prevalencia de trauma foi maior nos meninos de 3 a 5 anos com maloclusao (mordida aberta e protrusao) (p<0,05). De acordo com a maioria dos pais e responsaveis, a etiologia mais frequente foi a queda, e o lugar da ocorrencia a residencia. Todas as variaveis estudadas, exceto o selamento labial, mostraram-se associadas com o trauma dentario. Este estudo revelou uma alta prevalencia de traumatismo dentario na populacao infantil abaixo dos 5 anos de idade. Quedas e colisoes acidentais foram os fatores etiologicos mais frequentemente citados. Os incisivos centrais superiores os dentes mais atingidos e a fratura de esmalte o trauma mais observado.