Case dental school to look for connection between dental problems, low birth weight
If correlation exists, childhood interventions could protect teeth later in life
December 9, 2004 | For more information: Susan Griffith (216)-368-1004
 A new study at the Case Western Reserve University School of Dental Medicine will determine if babies born weighing less than three pounds are at a greater risk of dental problems as children and teens.
Suchitra Nelson, a dental epidemiologist at the Case dental school, received a two-year, $275,000 grant for the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research to conduct oral examinations of 302 teens. The study’s participants include 14-year olds born with low birth weights and with bronchoplumonary dysplasia (a chronic lung disease of premature babies), a group of teens born weighing less than three pounds but without the lung disease and a comparison group of teens with normal weight at birth.
Each participant in the study will receive a dental examination to determine their current oral health status, and both the youths and their parents will answer a questionnaire about oral health and eating habits and their exposure to fluoride in water or dental treatments.
Nelson along with co-investigators Seth Canion, chair of the dental school’s pediatric dental department, and Jeffrey Albert, H. Lester Kirchner and Lynn Singer from the Case School of Medicine. Children in the study were selected from the participants in Singer’s longitudinal study of children and their development.
“Little is known about the relationship between low birth weights and dental caries in permanent teeth,” said Nelson. “Because of improved neonatal technology, children with low birth weights are living into adolescence and adulthood.”
If a correlation exists between birth weight and oral health problems, the dental epidemiologist said early diagnosis along with childhood interventions can be designed and given to protect the teeth.
Dental researchers are finding increasing evidence that good oral health promotes the overall general health of individuals. Because many low birth weights and a high number of dental caries disproportionately affect minorities, Nelson said the early interventions that target oral health attitudes and habits can address this oral health disparity issue.
“Once we know the extent of the problem, then we can work on oral interventions,” she said.
About Case Western Reserve University
Case is among the nation's leading research institutions. Founded in 1826
and shaped by the unique merger of the Case Institute of Technology and Western
Reserve University, Case is distinguished by its strengths in education, research,
service, and experiential learning. Located in Cleveland, Case offers nationally
recognized programs in the Arts and Sciences, Dental Medicine, Engineering,
Law, Management, Medicine, Nursing, and Social Work. http://www.case.edu.
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