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Are childhood diseases associated with Molar-Incisor Hypomineralization? - Results from an observational study
Elena Pernegger1, Nour Ammar1,2, Karl-Ferdinand Fresen1
1Department of Conservative Dentistry, Periodontology and Digital Dentistry, LMU University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany.
Objective:
This observational study aimed to investigate the potential association between reported childhood diseases and medications during early infancy and the later appearance of molar incisor hypomineralization (MIH).
Materials And Methods:
As part of a prospectively designed epidemiological study, 5,418 Bavarian children aged 8 to 10 were examined for the presence of caries (WHO standard) and MIH (EAPD criteria). In addition, each child received a questionnaire to be completed by their parents. A total of 1,315 questionnaires were returned, containing complete information on childhood diseases, medication and socioeconomic status. Marginalized zero-inflated negative binomial regression models were constructed.
Results:
A total of 263 children (20.0%) were diagnosed with MIH, with a mean of 3.3 (± 2.0) MIH-affected teeth. In cases of bronchitis (IRR 1.25 with 95% CI 1.07-1.46), otitis media (aOR 1.91 with 95% CI 1.30-2.80), eye diseases, allergies, speech disorders, worm infections and cardiac diseases, significant associations were found for the presence of MIH. In addition, a significant association between antibiotic use and MIH was confirmed (first year of life: IRR 1.45 with 95% CI 1.15-1.83; aOR 1.86 with 95% CI 1.13-3.05/second year of life: IRR 1.35 with 95% CI 1.05-1.77; aOR 1.36 with 95% CI 1.05-1.77).
Conclusions:
The associations were mostly associated with low case numbers and accordingly cannot explain the documented MIH prevalence of 20.0%. Therefore, childhood diseases and antibiotic use probably do not solely contribute to MIH development.
Clinical Relevance:
MIH aetiology remains unclear, indicating a need for further research.
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