To determine if there is an association between Porphyromonas gingivalis infection of dental gingiva during primary tooth eruption and thickening of the radial artery intimamedial layers. Thickening of these layers in infants could be a promoting factor for later development of atherosclerosis.
Specific Aim 1. To determine the presence of Pg in the mouth of edentulous pre-eruption and then teething infants. Over a 9-month period 15 normal babies will be recruited for a prospective pilot study from Creighton University students. Cotton swabs of the tongue mucosa and dental plaque will be made to detect the presence of Pg by DNA analysis. Specific Aim 2. To determine the daily temperature of infants. Daily child temperatures will be recorded by the parent. Specific Aim 3. To measure the thickness of the radial artery using a 50 MHz ultrasound probe. A 50 MHz ultrasound scan will be made by a trained dental hygienist of the left radial artery at an initial visit and at 3-monthly intervals to measure IMT.
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Measurement of thickness of radial artery wall thickness by ultrasound
Creighton University School of Dentistry
Omaha, Nebraska, United States
Arterial wall thickness
Increase in thickness of intimamedia layers
Time frame: 9 months
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