Are low birth weight, intrauterine growth restriction, and preterm birth associated with enamel developmental defects?
OBJECTIVE
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.
Technical School's Health Care System, Postgraduation Program in Public Health, Federal University of Maranhão, São Luís, Maranhão, Brazil. judrafa@hotmail.com
J R O
JR
Pinho
F Lamy
FL
Filho
E B A F
EB
Thomaz
Z C
ZC
Lamy
S A
SA
Libério
E B
EB
Ferreira
D003743:Dental Enamel; D005260:Female; D005317:Fetal Growth Retardation; D006801:Humans; D007230:Infant, Low Birth Weight; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies