Delayed permanent tooth emergence in chronically malnourished children - abstract

ABSTRACT

This study was designed to evaluate the relationship between anthropometric indicators of malnutrition and tooth eruption status of 6-year-old children. The 100 subjects from the Kingston area were placed into groups, as per Waterlow's classification of protein-energy malnutrition (PEM), according to height-for-age (H/A) and weight-for-height (W/H) and number of emerged teeth noted (table included). Statistical analysis (ANOVA - Duncan's test) indicates a significant decrease (p<0.01) in the number of erupted permanent teeth emerged in the Stunted and the Stunted Wasted (p<0.05) as compared to the Normal children (AU)