Oral findings in newborn children in and around Mangalore, Karnataka State, India.

OBJECTIVES The aims of this study were to determine the prevalence of normal findings and oral anomalies in newborn children in and around Mangalore, India, within the first week of birth. SUBJECTS AND METHODS A gloved index finger, a head torch and an extra-orally placed ruler were used to perform visual examinations in 1,038 newborn babies, who were selected by convenience sampling. The babies were examined by one of the investigators (D.G.). Normal findings like the location of upper labial midline frenum, symmetry of alveolar ridges, anteroposterior/buccolingual and vertical relationship of the alveolar ridges, and oral anomalies like white inclusion cysts that are gingival cyst of infants, Epstein's pearls and Bohn's nodules were recorded in a standard format. The findings were statistically analysed. RESULTS Open bite was present in 102 (9.8%) children. In the anteroposterior relationship, 1,035 (99.7%) had the mandible distal to maxilla. In the buccolingual relationship, the mandible was lingual to the maxilla in 1,035 neonates (99.7%). Gingival cyst of infants was present in 143 (13.8%) of the neonates, Epstein's pearls in 365 (35.2%) and Bohn's nodules in 492 (47.4%). CONCLUSION The present study exhibits the prevalence of normal findings and anomalies in the neonates. Longitudinal studies are required to assess any significance of the anteroposterior, buccolingual and vertical relationships of the gum pads in the neonates to the future development of occlusion.