Abstract
OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to describe and compare morphofunctional orofacial aspects between subjects with and without Zika virus-related microcephaly. METHODOLOGY: This was a descriptive, cross-sectional, case-control study with both qualitative and quantitative components. All subjects were born between 2015 and 2016, during the Zika virus outbreak in the Northeast region of Brazil. A total of 48 children were included: 24 with Zika-related microcephaly (MG) and 24 without the condition (CG). We performed the Preliminary Expanded Protocol of Orofacial Myofunctional Evaluation with Scores (OMES-E) for all subjects. Orofacial anthropometric measurements were obtained from 36 of the 48 participants, including 18 from the MG and 18 from the CG. RESULTS: We found lower swallowing efficiency scores in children with microcephaly aged 13-18 months. Significant differences (p<.001) were found between the MG and CG for scores related to the face, cheeks, and total stomatognathic functions. When stratified by age group, differences (p<.001) were found in total scores between MG and CG subjects in the age groups up to 24 months. We found lower scores in the 13-18-month group with microcephaly for swallowing efficiency: 1.3 (SD: .8) versus 5.3 (SD: 1.2); and in the 19-24-month group; for bite: 1 (SD: 0) and 3.9 (SD: .3), and 1.9 (SD: 2.7) and 9.5 (SD: .9); in addition to facial changes: 9.8 (SD: 1.2) and 11.8 (SD: .6). Differences were found in anthropometric orofacial measurements for the upper third of the face (d=-1.215, p<.001) (MGCG) (d=-.679, p<.001). CONCLUSION: Subjects with microcephaly had altered orofacial myofunction, especially related to swallowing and chewing difficulties in early ages.