Effects of breastfeeding and sucking habits on XXXX in a birth cohort study.

@entity1 @entity18521 @entity3232
OBJECTIVE: To estimate the prevalence of @entity3232 and to examine the effects of breastfeeding and non-nutritive sucking habits on dentition in six-year-old @entity1 . METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out nested into a birth cohort conducted in Pelotas, Southern Brazil, in 1999. A sample of 359 @entity1 was dentally examined and their mothers interviewed. @entity18521 and posterior cross bite were recorded using the Foster _ Hamilton criteria. Information regarding breastfeeding and non-nutritive sucking habits was collected at birth, in the first, third, sixth and 12th months of life, and at six years of age. Control variables included maternal schooling and @entity1 's birthweight, cephalic perimeter, and sex. Data were analyzed by Poisson regression. RESULTS: Prevalence of @entity18521 was 46.2%, and that of posterior cross bite was 18.2%. Non-nutritive sucking habits between 12 months and four years of age and digital sucking at age six years were the main risk factors for @entity18521 . Breastfeeding for less than nine months and regular use of pacifier between age 12 months and four years were risk factors for posterior cross bite. Interaction between duration of breastfeeding and the use of pacifier was identified for posterior cross bite. CONCLUSIONS: Given that breastfeeding is a protective factor for other diseases of infancy, our findings indicate that the common risks approach is the most appropriate for the prevention of posterior cross bite in primary or initial mixed dentition.
