Palatal groove formation in neonates and infants with orotracheal tubes
A. Erenberg and A. J. Nowak
Long-term use of orotracheal tubes has been associated with palatal groove
formation, acquired cleft palate, and defective primary dentition. To
determine the incidence of palatal groove formation, maxillary impressions
were made of 63 neonates and infants who required orotracheal intubation
for one to 62 days. A palatal groove was present in 47.6% of these neonates
and infants. The incidence of palatal groove formation increased with a
longer use of tubes, being 87.5% in those neonates and infants requiring
tubes for more than two weeks.
