Enamel defects in the complete primary dentition of children born at term and preterm.

PURPOSE

This study's purpose was to compare the frequency of enamel defects (ED) in the complete primary dentition (CDD) of term children (TC) and preterm children (PTC) and to analyze neonatal factors associated with ED in PTC.

METHODS

The study group was formed by 45 PTC, cared for at the Follow-up Clinic for Preterm Children of the Federal University of São Paulo, Brazil. The control group included 46 school-children born at term.

RESULTS

ED was more frequent in PTC (87%) than in TC (44%; P<.05). All 34 PTC with tracheal intubation at birth presented ED, showing a strong association between both. The variable was not included in the regression model. To analyze neonatal factors associated with ED in PTC, a model of logistic regression was adjusted. Malnutrition at term-corrected age increased the risk of ED in PTC 7.8 times. Opacity (white/cream) and hypoplasia (missing enamel) were frequent types of ED in this series. PTC and TC presented with high ED frequencies.

CONCLUSIONS

The frequencies of enamel defects were elevated in term and preterm children, but were higher in the latter. Tracheal intubation was strongly associated with enamel defects, and extrauterine growth restriction significantly increased the risk for enamel defects in preterm children.