Estudo descritivo do conhecimento de mães ou cuidadores de bebês com doença falciforme sobre saúde bucal nos primeiros mil dias de vida

Abstract

In the first thousand days of a baby’s life, epigenetic changes may occur and definitively interfere with its development, benefiting or harming its entire life cycle. This study aimed to describe the knowledge of mothers or caregivers of babies with Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) about oral health in the first thousand days of life. In the first multidisciplinary consultation at a blood center in Rio de Janeiro, mothers and caregivers answered a semi-structured questionnaire, containing open-ended and multiple choice questions adapted from a previously validated questionnaire, about sociodemographic conditions, health, access to health services, oral care for baby and breastfeeding during the first thousand days of life. The data collected between June and November 2024 were coded and subjected to descriptive analysis. The results showed that of the 47 mothers, 01 grandmother and 01 father interviewed, 59% had completed high school, 76% declared themselves black, and were between 16 and 49 years old. Only 8% of the participants reported knowing about the hemoglobin electrophoresis test, but all those who reported knowing about it defined the test as important for diagnosing SCD. Of the interviewees, 95.9% reported having had medical prenatal care and only 29% reported having had dental prenatal care. Most babies were born vaginally (57%). The majority (82%) were unaware of the importance of dental prenatal care, although 47% of the mothers reported having seen a dentist during pregnancy. The grade of satisfaction with dental care was not informed by the majority of the participants (53%). The majority (92%) reported knowing what cavities are and 88% said they knew about methods for preventing the disease. Brushing teeth, controlling sugar consume, using of fluoride or visiting dentist were indicated by 61% of the respondents. However, bleeding gums during pregnancy were reported by 59% of the study participants. As for babies with SCD, 45% were female, the majority aged between 0 and 6 months (67%). As for oral hygiene of toothless babies, 80% said they cleaned their mouths with gauze and filtered water, and when cleaning the baby’s first tooth, 49% said they used a toothbrush and toothpaste without fluoride. Breastfeeding was considered important by 81.6% of the participants. There is little knowledge on the part of mothers or caregivers regarding oral health in the first thousand days of life of babies with SCD. To disseminate information on this topic, the manual - The First Thousand Days of Life of Babies with Sickle Cell Disease: A Guide to Oral Health for Babies - was created. The expectation is to contribute to changing the reality of these babies with SCD, their mothers, caregivers and family members.