The influence of infantile thiamine deficiency on primary dentition.
OBJECTIVE
The present study explored the histological and chemical effects of infantile thiamine deficiency (ITD) on enamel development through the examination of exfoliated deciduous teeth from a patient who had been fed during his first year of life with a thiamine-deficient milk substitute.


METHODS
Ground sections derived from six exfoliated primary teeth were examined. Slices from a light microscope were photographed for histological analysis. We calculated the time when the amelogenesis insults occurred, and the data were cross-examined with the patient's medical history. We then measured the enamel content of calcium, phosphate, oxygen, carbon, and magnesium on two lines from the dentino-enamel junction (DEJ) to the outer surface using an energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer.


RESULTS
Carbon (organic matter) concentration in postnatal enamel was 2.37 times higher in ITD, phosphate levels were lower, and magnesium and calcium levels tended to be higher in ITD teeth.


CONCLUSIONS
Chemical and histological analysis enabled us to confirm that thiamine deficiency in infancy impaired postnatal amelogenesis and resulted in less calcified enamel with a higher level of organic matter. Higher postnatal enamel carbon and magnesium concentration found in ITD may derive from either impaired mineralization caused by disturbed cellular metabolism or indirect damage to the ameloblasts due to the physical condition. Ca/P mean ratio in ITD teeth was higher than the mean ratio in the control displaying a damaged mineralization process.


CONCLUSIONS
This is probably the first description of infantile thiamine deficiency effect on amelogenesis resulting in less calcified enamel.
Department of Pediatric Dentistry, The Hebrew University - Hadassah School of Dental Medicine, P.O.Box 12272, 9112102, Jerusalem, Israel. motim@md.huji.ac.il.
Moti
http://orcid.org/0000-0003-4118-2501
M
Moskovitz
Department of Pediatric Dentistry, The Hebrew University - Hadassah School of Dental Medicine, P.O.Box 12272, 9112102, Jerusalem, Israel.
Maya
M
Dotan
Pediatric Dental Unit, Barzilai Medical Center, Ashkelon, Israel.
Uri
U
Zilberman
D000566:Amelogenesis / Q000187:drug effects*; D002118:Calcium / Q000032:analysis; D002648:Child; D003743:Dental Enamel / Q000737:chemistry*; D003804:Dentin / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D007225:Infant Food / Q000032:analysis*; D008274:Magnesium / Q000032:analysis; D008297:Male; D010710:Phosphates / Q000032:analysis; D013832:Thiamine Deficiency / Q000150:complications*; D014094:Tooth, Deciduous
D010710:Phosphates; D008274:Magnesium; D002118:Calcium
Ameloblasts; Beriberi; Infantile thiamine deficiency; Striae of Retzius