INTRODUCTION: This cross-sectional retrospective epidemiologic study assessed
the relationship between exclusive breastfeeding duration and the prevalence of
posterior crossbite in the deciduous dentition.
METHODS: Clinical examinations were performed in 1377 Brazilian children (690
boys, 687 girls), 3 to 6 years old, from 11 public schools in São Paulo,
Brazil. Based on questionnaires answered by the parents, the children were
classified into 4 groups according to the duration of exclusive breastfeeding:
G1, never (119 subjects); G2, less than 6 months (720 subjects); G3, 6 to 12
months (312 subjects); and G4, more than 12 months (226 subjects). The
statistical analyses included the chi-square test (P <0.05) and the odds ratio.
RESULTS: The posterior crossbite was observed in 31.1%, 22.4%, 8.3%, and 2..2%
of the children, in groups G1, G2, G3, and G4, respectively. The results showed
a statistically significant relationship between exclusive breastfeeding
duration and the prevalence of posterior crossbite.
CONCLUSIONS: Children who were breastfed for more than 12 months had a 20-fold
lower risk for the development of posterior crossbite compared with children
who were never breastfed and a 5-fold lower risk compared with those breastfed
between 6 and 12 months.
Am J Orthod Dentofacial Orthop. 2010 Jan;137(1):54-8.
Kobayashi HM, Scavone H Jr, Ferreira RI, Garib DG.
Department of Orthodontics, University of São Paulo City, Universidade Cidade
de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil. henrimenezeskobayashi@yahoo.com
Abstract
