The timing of permanent tooth development in a Black Southern African population using the Demirjian method

International Journal of Legal Medicine - Many aspects of growth have been documented for Black Southern African children, yet their dental development has not been comprehensively investigated....     

Third molar impaction and agenesis: influence on anterior crowding

Background Third molar influence on anterior crowding is controversial, but they are assumed to play a major role in compromising dental arch space.

Aim To evaluate the relationship among impaction, agenesis and crowding in black South African males.

Subjects and method Mandibles and maxillae of 535 black South African males in the Raymond A. Dart Collection of Human Skeletons, University of the Witwatersrand were examined for anterior crowding and third molar agenesis and impaction. Dental crowding was determined using Little’s irregularity index.

Results Individuals with impaction showed more moderate-to-extreme crowding than those with agenesis. Bilateral third molar presence was more frequently associated with ideal-to-minimal crowding. Weak positive but significant correlations between crowding and impaction were found (mandible, ρ?=?0.154, p?=?0.000; maxilla ρ?=?0.130, p?=?0.000). The direction was the opposite for bilateral presence of molars (mandible, ρ = ?0.135, p?=?0.02; maxilla, ρ = ?0.111, p?=?0.010). Odds of mandibular crowding were greatest in individuals with impaction (OR = 3.22, CI = 1.716–6.05, p?Conclusion Third molar impaction plays a role in anterior crowding. Third molar presence was not associated with anterior crowding, while agenesis did not explain absence of crowding.     

Breastfeeding pattern and eruption of primary teeth in Nigerian children

Various aspects of human growth and development have been reported to be adversely affected by malnutrition in early life. Opinion is still divided regarding the role of nutritional status in dental development. The study was carried out to determine the effect of breastfeeding pattern on the eruption times of primary teeth. The study population consisted of 1,013 clinically healthy babies, infants and preschool children between the ages 4–36 months who visited the immunization clinics at the Community Health Centres in Ife Central and Ife East Local Government Areas. Primary teeth erupted earlier in children who were exclusively breastfed when compared to those who were partially breastfed (P < 0.05). In most ages (months) children who were exclusively breastfed had more number of erupted teeth compared to those partially breastfed (P < 0.05). Within the limitation of this study, children who were exclusively breastfed had lower mean age of emergence in eighteen out of twenty teeth than those partially breastfed with ten teeth being statistically significant, showing that nutrition may play an important role in the emergence of primary teeth.     

Depression in adult Nigerians: Results from the Nigerian Survey of Mental Health and Well-being

BackgroundCommunity-based studies of the rates and profile of depression among Africans are still sparse.MethodsAs part of the World Mental Health Surveys initiative, a clustered multi-stage sampling of households in 21 of Nigeria's 36 states (representing 57% of the national population) was implemented to select adults aged 18 years and over (N = 6752) for face-to-face interviews using the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI 3.0). Diagnosis of major depressive episode (MDE) was based on the criteria of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, 4th edition.ResultsLifetime and 12-month estimates of MDE were 3.1% (standard error 0.3) and 1.1% (s.e. 0.1), receptively. Increasing age was associated with higher estimates of positive responses to stem (screen) questions for depression and of lifetime disorders among stem-positive respondents. The mean age of onset was about 29.2 years. The median (inter quantile range, IQR) duration of an episode among lifetime cases was 1.0 (2.0–2.4) year and the median (IQR) number of lifetime episodes was 1.5 (2.0–2.8). MDE was highly comorbid with anxiety disorders, musculoskeletal conditions, chronic pain and ulcer. The odds ratio of lifetime suicide attempt among persons with lifetime MDE was 11.6 (95% confidence interval, 3.9–34.9). Over 25% of 12-month cases were rated as severely disabled in the performance of usual roles. Only 16.9% (s.e. 5.0) of 12-month cases had received any treatment.LimitationsAll data were based on self-reports.ConclusionMDE, defined according to DSM-IV, is a risk factor for mental and physical comorbidity as well as disability in Nigerians. Age-related telescoping or denial may partly explain the low rates in this young population.     

Factors influencing tooth shade selection for completely edentulous patients

AIM: There is limited scientific information on the relationship between tooth shade, age, gender, and skin color in black Africans. This lack of knowledge may impact the ability of the prosthodontist to select artificial teeth for completely edentulous patients. This study explores the possibility of a relationship between tooth shade, gender, age, and skin color in a black African population. METHODS AND MATERIALS: A total of 212 individuals aged 15 to 79 years participated in this study. One investigator, calibrated for examining tooth shade, performed all examinations. A Vita-Lumin shade guide was used to examine either the maxillary right or left central incisor. One had to be sound for inclusion in the study. Tooth shades were divided into two categories according to value, and skin tones were divided into two categories (light, and dark). Chi-square analysis and Fisher's exact tests were used to analyze the data (P< 05). RESULTS: No statistically significant difference was found between tooth shade and skin color and the subjects' perception of their tooth shade. However, a statistically significant difference was found between age and tooth shade (P<.001). There was also a statistically significant difference in tooth shade between men and women. CONCLUSION: Within the limitations of this study, tooth shade value and skin color were not related. However, older adults and men are more likely to have darker teeth.     

Are we underestimating the leukemogenic risk of hydroxyurea

Hydroxyurea is an established drug that has been used for the treatment of myeloproliferative disorders and some solid tumors for some time. In recent years it has also been found to be effective in the treatment of sickle cell disease. Short term side effects are not serious, and are manageable. The major concern is the potential leukemogenesis with long term use. The risk of leukemogenesis is not defined with its use in benign hematological conditions. We report a case of acute myeloid leukemia with no preceding myelodysplastic syndrome, occurring after 2 years of hydroxyurea therapy in a patient with sickle cell disease.     

Alpha-thalassaemia in Nigeria: its interaction with sickle-cell disease

We have determined the molecular basis and frequency of alpha-thalassaemia in Nigeria. The alpha-thalassaemia determinant in this population is caused by only one type of single alpha globin gene deletion (-alpha 3.7). Comparison of the haematological features of those patients who have sickle-cell disease with (-alpha/alpha alpha, -alpha/-alpha) or without (alpha alpha/alpha alpha) alpha-thalassaemia showed similar trends to those reported in Jamaican and U.S. patients with these interactions. However, in contrast to studies in some other African populations we have shown that the frequency of alpha-thalassaemia in Nigeria is the same (0.24) in patients with or without homozygous sickle-cell disease (AA, AS and AC genotypes).