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

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to estimate the association between low birth weight and its 2 components, intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) and preterm birth, with developmental defects of dental enamel (DDE).

METHODS

A retrospective cohort study was conducted on 205 12- to 60-month-olds born in the municipality of São Luís, Maranhão, Brazil. Clinical examination and interviews with the responsible persons were performed, and the medical records were analyzed. The modified DDE index was used for the diagnosis and classification of enamel defects. Poisson regression analysis was performed, and relative risk (RR) ratios (95% confidence interval, CI) were used for the estimation of associations.

RESULTS

Preterm birth was not associated with DDE in nonadjusted or adjusted analysis. In the crude models and after adjusting for confounding factors, IUGR (RR=5.19; CI=2.42-11.13) and low birth weight (RR=3.44; CI=1.72-7.37) continued to be risk factors for the occurrence of DDE.

CONCLUSIONS

Low birth weight infants present a higher risk of developing enamel defects. This risk seems to be more related to the IUGR component than to the preterm birth component.