274 - Facial Development Related to Duration of Breastfeeding

Abstract:

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to analyze the facial development of six to twelve years old healthy patients who were breasted for different durations of time. The study will be conducted at the University of Texas Post-Graduate Pediatric Dental Clinic and will compare cephalometric radiographs, facial thirds measurements, and mandibular plane angles of healthy patients in mixed dentition.

Methods: The breastfeeding information will be acquired in the form of a questionnaire derived from CDC Syndicate questionnaire that the patient’s guardian will fill out. Patients will be recruited according to the inclusion criteria: (1) the patient is English or Spanish speaking; (2) the patient is six to twelve years old; (3) the patient does not have a diagnosis of a syndrome that affects craniofacial structures; (4) the patient is capable of cooperating for exam and lateral cephalometric radiograph; (5) the patient is in mixed dentition (i.e., the patient has both primary and permanent teeth present). The cephalometric data will be analyzed using the Dolphin software. Statistical analysis will be completed by a statistician. Results/

Conclusion: The results will allow for a better understanding of the current recommendations for breastfeeding from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) and if any changes should be made from a dental perspective.