RELAÇÃO ENTRE DESMAME PRECOCE, DESENVOLVIMENTO DE HÁBITOS BUCAIS DELETÉRIOS E MALOCLUSÕES NA INFÂNCIA

Abstract

Objective: the objective of this research was to analyze the association of breastfeeding duration with the practice of deleterious habits and the development of malocclusions in early childhood. Materials and Methods: a total of 171 forms were applied to mothers aged 18 years or older who followed the breastfeeding process of their child(ren) between 4 and 10 years of age. The questionnaire consisted of 22 questions, 15 of which were specific and related to breastfeeding, the child’s deleterious habits (use of a pacifier, finger sucking and lip sucking) and specific malocclusions (posterior crossbite, anterior crossbite and open bite). Results: the prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months or more was 52%, while 29.8% of children were breastfed from 0 to 5 months and 18.2% were never exclusively  breastfed.  As for complementary feeding, a large portion (37.4%) found to start after 6 months; 57.9% of the mothers reported some type of difficulty in breastfeeding and 34.5% of the children used a pacifier. Regarding deleterious habits, 10% developed  finger sucking. The report of development of malocclusions was 9.4% of children with posterior crossbite; 7.6% anterior crossbite and 18.7% anterior open bite. Conclusion: therefore, it is possible to infer that the time recommended by the World Health Organization for exclusive breastfeeding was fundamental for the non-development of deleterious habits and malocclusions. On the other hand, the earlier the introduction of complementary foods and the interruption of exclusive breastfeeding in the first six months, the greater the risk of developing habits and, consequently, malocclusions.