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Enamel defects and its relation to life course events in primary dentition of Brazilian children: a longitudinal

A M B Chaves1, A Rosenblatt, O F B Oliveira

  • 1Department of Paediatric Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry of Pernambuco, Camaragibe, Brazil. ambchaves@hotmail.com

Community Dental Health
|April 5, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Enamel defects (ED) affect nearly 80% of children in low-income communities. Malnutrition and infections during early life significantly increase the risk of developing these defects, impacting oral health.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Dentistry
  • Public Health
  • Developmental Biology

Background:

  • Enamel defects (ED) are a common finding in pediatric populations.
  • Their etiology is multifactorial, often linked to early life events.
  • Understanding these links is crucial for preventive strategies in vulnerable communities.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the cumulative incidence of enamel defects (ED) in a low socioeconomic status cohort.
  • To investigate the correlation between ED and life course events, including malnutrition and infections.

Main Methods:

  • A birth cohort of children was followed from birth to 36 months of age.
  • Dental examinations were conducted using the DDE index under natural light.
  • Logistic regression analysis identified predictor variables for ED.

Main Results:

  • The cumulative incidence of ED reached 78.9% by the final examination.
  • Diffuse opacity was the most prevalent type of enamel defect.
  • Maternal infections, intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR), malnutrition, and postnatal infections were significant predictors of ED.

Conclusions:

  • Life course events like undernutrition and infections during tooth development are associated with enamel defects in underprivileged children.
  • These defects can negatively impact oral health-related quality of life.
Abstract

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