Behavioural problems and caries experience in 3-6-year-old children born preterm

Objective: Today a majority of children born preterm survive without major impairments. However, a high frequency of cognitive and behavioural disturbances, including problems in school, has been reported. The objective was to study the frequency of behavioural problems and poor compliance to dental treatment in preschool children born preterm. In addition, the prevalence of caries was studied. Methods: The study group consisted of 180 children, born between 23-32 weeks of gestation. The control group comprised full-term children, matched for age, sex, ethnic background and dental operator. Notes of behaviour management problems as well as caries data were collected from dental records. In addition, parents were interviewed by telephone about cognitive and behavioural problems in different everyday situations, including dentistry as well as habits related to dentistry. Results: At 3 years of age the prevalence of behavioural problems at clinical examination was significantly higher in the preterm group than in the controls (p=0.014). No such difference was seen at the age of 6. Between 3 and 6 years of age, the preterm children exhibited significantly more co-operation problems in various kinds of dental situations (p=0.02). The parent's view of their child confirmed these results. No difference in caries prevalence was noted between the groups. Conclusion: We conclude that children born preterm seem to have an enhanced prevalence of behavioural problems related to dental treatment during the preschool period.