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Enamel defects in the primary dentition of children born weighing less than 2000 g
J M Fearne1, E M Bryan, A M Elliman
1London Hospital Medical College, Dental Institute.
Insights
Low birthweight children have higher rates of enamel defects, particularly hypoplasia. These defects are linked to perinatal health issues like illness, ventilator use, and premature birth.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Dentistry
- Neonatology
- Developmental Biology
Background:
- Enamel defects in primary teeth can indicate underlying health issues.
- Low birthweight (LBW) is associated with increased health risks for children.
- Perinatal factors may influence dental development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between enamel defects in primary teeth and perinatal medical histories of low birthweight children.
- To compare the prevalence of enamel defects in LBW children versus controls.
Main Methods:
- Examination of enamel defects in 110 LBW children and 93 controls aged 5 years.
- Correlation of enamel defect occurrence with perinatal factors such as illness, ventilator support, intravenous alimentation, and gestational age (<32 weeks).
Main Results:
- Significantly higher prevalence of enamel hypoplasia in LBW children (71%) compared to controls (15%).
- No significant difference in enamel opacities alone between LBW children (25%) and controls (26%).
- LBW children with severe perinatal issues (illness, ventilator support, prematurity) showed higher rates of enamel defects.
Conclusions:
- LBW is a significant risk factor for primary dentition enamel defects, especially hypoplasia.
- Perinatal complications, including oxygen deprivation and mineral depletion, are implicated as potential causes for these defects in preterm infants.
Abstract:
The findings for enamel defects in the primary dentition of a group of low birthweight (LBW) children were related to their perinatal medical histories. Examination of 110 LBW children and 93 control children aged 5 years showed that significantly more of the LBW children (71%) had hypoplasia than controls (15%), but there was no difference in opacities alone (LBW 25%, control 26%). In the LBW group, defects were seen more often in children classified as ill during the perinatal period, who received ventilator support or intravenous alimentation and in those children born at less than 32 weeks gestation, compared to the LBW children without these perinatal problems. It is speculated that the high incidence and the cause of enamel defects in sick preterm infants may be due to oxygen deprivation and mineral substitute depletion.