Factors involved in the aetiology of molar-incisor hypomineralisation (MIH)

AIM: This study aimed to collect more information on factors associated with molar-incisor hypomineralisation (MIH), which is a frequent developmental enamel defect with unknown aetiology. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A questionnaire was sent to the parents of 45 children (average age 9.9 years; SD+/-2.02), 24 with affected first molars and 21 controls. The two groups of children were similar in terms of age, gender and living conditions. Questions were asked about the health of mother and child during pregnancy, the birth and health of the child up to age four years. RESULTS: Birth weight and length in the two groups of children were similar, as was the duration of breast- and/or bottle-feeding and the incidence of complications during pregnancy and birth. The children with MIH were ill more frequently during the first four years of life. CONCLUSION: Knowledge of the type of disease that might be involved in the development of such molars is still inadequate, but there appears to be an association with pneumonia, otitis media and high fevers.