Craniofacial and Dental Abnormalities in Children With Intrauterine Growth Restriction: A Comparative Cross-Sectional Study.

BACKGROUND: Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) has been linked to disturbances in growth after birth and various developmental anomalies. However, its impact on the shape of the face and dental health is still a question. Exploring these links can be helpful for the early prevention and orthodontic treatment of a pediatric population. OBJECTIVE: Comparison of differences in craniofacial morphometric parameters and dental abnormalities of children with IUGR and healthy children. METHODS: A cross-sectional case-control study was performed in 60 children aged between 3 and 7 years (30 IUGR; 30 controls matched for age and sex). Lateral cephalometric radiograph standardization was done for assessment of craniofacial parameters, and dental anomalies were confirmed by clinical examinations. The statistical analysis consisted of Student's t-test, chi-square test, and logistic regression with significance set at p <0.05. RESULTS: Children with IUGR had a markedly reduced cranial base length (91.3 ± 4.9 mm vs. 99.6 ± 5.4 mm, p < 0.001) and mandibular length (65.2 ± 4.0 mm vs. 73.9 ± 4.5 mm, p < 0.001) and an increased lower facial height (54.6 ± 3.1 mm vs. 51.0 ± 3.2 mm, p < 0.001). Enamel defects in the IUGR group (33.3%) were twice as many as in the control group (10.0%), and the adjusted odds were almost five times higher (OR = 4.83, 95% CI 1.04 - 22.36, p = 0.044). The occurrences of caries, hypodontia, and microdontia in the IUGR group have increased, but their differences are not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: IUGR is related to changed patterns of craniofacial development that feature shortening of the cranial base and mandibular lengths and lengthening of the lower facial height. It is also associated with a greater number of cases of enamel defects. Screening of children with IUGR and their cephalometric evaluation at an early stage will provide better preventive and orthodontic interceptive treatment guidance.