title: Enamel defects in the primary dentition of preterm and full-term children.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study compared enamel defects in children born prematurely and at term.
  
  
  METHODS
  96 children born at term (G1), and with 96 children born prematurely (G2) were studied.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A higher prevalence of enamel defects was found in the premature group, with a predominance of hypoplasia. In G1, 64 teeth displayed enamel defects (51 opacities and 13 hypoplasias). In G2, 110 defective teeth were found, (29 opacities and 81 hypoplasias). A significant correlation was found between very low birth weight (VLBW) and the presence of these defects (p < or = 0.001). The teeth most affected were the incisors, canines and molars.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Prematurity, in conjunction with other factors, can predispose children to enamel defects.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Dentistry, School of Dentistry, Catholic University of Brasilia, Brazil. danuzeblamas@ucb.br
authors.forename: D B L
authors.initials: DB
authors.lastname: Gravina
authors.forename: V R N
authors.initials: VR
authors.lastname: Cruvinel
authors.forename: T D P L
authors.initials: TD
authors.lastname: Azevedo
authors.forename: O A
authors.initials: OA
authors.lastname: Toledo
authors.forename: A C B
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Bezerra
mesh_terms: D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003743:Dental Enamel / Q000002:abnormalities*; D003744:Dental Enamel Hypoplasia / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007230:Infant, Low Birth Weight; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D008297:Male; D012307:Risk Factors; D014094:Tooth, Deciduous / Q000002:abnormalities