Palatal groove formation in neonates and infants with orotracheal tubes.

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.