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Are low birth weight, intrauterine growth restriction, and preterm birth associated with enamel developmental

J R O Pinho1, F Lamy Filho, E B A F Thomaz

  • 1Technical School's Health Care System, Postgraduation Program in Public Health, Federal University of Maranhão, São Luís, Maranhão, Brazil. judrafa@hotmail.com

Pediatric Dentistry
|July 17, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Low birth weight and intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) increase the risk of developmental defects of dental enamel (DDE) in children. Preterm birth was not significantly associated with DDE.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Dentistry
  • Neonatal Health
  • Developmental Biology

Background:

  • Developmental defects of dental enamel (DDE) can impact oral health.
  • Low birth weight is a significant concern in neonatal care.
  • Understanding risk factors for DDE is crucial for early intervention.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess the association between low birth weight and its components (IUGR, preterm birth) with DDE.
  • To identify specific risk factors contributing to enamel defects in early childhood.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective cohort study of 205 children aged 12-60 months.
  • Clinical examination and analysis of medical records using the modified DDE index.
  • Poisson regression analysis to determine relative risks (RR) and confidence intervals (CI).

Main Results:

  • Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) was a significant risk factor for DDE (RR=5.19).
  • Low birth weight was also associated with an increased risk of DDE (RR=3.44).
  • Preterm birth showed no significant association with DDE in adjusted analyses.

Conclusions:

  • Infants with low birth weight have a higher risk of developing DDE.
  • IUGR appears to be a more significant contributor to DDE than preterm birth.
  • These findings highlight the importance of monitoring children born with low birth weight for dental enamel issues.
Abstract

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