Molar-incisor hypomineralisation in Lebanon: association with prenatal, natal and postnatal factors

Molar-incisor hypomineralisation is an enamel developmental defect highly prevalent in Lebanon. Literature suggests that perinatal conditions and childhood illnesses might be potential aetiological factors for this affection.

This case-control study aimed to investigate the association of MIH with prenatal, natal and postnatal factors amongst 7-9 years Lebanese children and to end up with recommendations to overcome its occurrence.

Self-administered, structured questionnaire including potential etiological factors was distributed to 659 MIH and non-MIH children's parents. The analysis of data was carried out using Statistical Package for Social Sciences Computer Software (SPSS 21.0, Inc., Chicago, IL, USA). For Statistical analysis, Pearson's chi-square, Fischer's exact test and multivariate regression model were used. A p value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Children whose mothers had consumed food and drinks canned during pregnancy had 2.9 (CI: 1.367 to 6.187) times more likely to have MIH. Those who had history of taking antibiotics had 2.15 (CI: 1.186 to 3.909) times higher odds of MIH than those who did not have while those who had fever episodes during the early childhood years were 2.057 (CI: 1.149 to 3.683) times more likely to develop MIH.

During early childhood, careful handling of high fever, greater public awareness regarding misuse of antibiotics and education about bisphenol A and how to avoid it during pregnancy and breastfeeding are recommended to decrease the occurrence of MIH.