Infant Growth and the Occurrence of Developmental Defects of Enamel in 12-Year-Olds

Abstract

Background/Aims: To investigate the association between birth weight and infant growth during the first year of life and the occurrence of developmental defects of enamel (DDE) in permanent dentition. Methods: A random sample of 668 12-year-old students was recruited from a birth cohort. Permanent incisors and first molars were clinically examined for DDE using the modified FDI (DDE) index. Multivariable negative binomial regression was used to examine the association of growth trajectory (five categories) from birth to 12 months with the occurrence of DDE (any defects, demarcated opacities, diffuse opacities, and hypoplasia) in the permanent dentition. Results: The response rate was 76.9% (n = 514). Four hundred and eighty-five children had complete records of growth- and health-related data. In the unadjusted model, infants who had birth weights closer to the WHO average and rapid growth were more likely to have ‘demarcated opacities' (p < 0.05), and the first 3 months of life was the ‘critical period' to develop ‘demarcated opacities' in permanent dentition. However, after adjusting for the confounders (gender, gestational age, mode of delivery, type of feeding, parental education, and health status), significant association with the occurrence of ‘demarcated opacities' (p < 0.05) remained only for the children of trajectory V (heavier birth weights and rapid growth); no ‘critical period' was found to be significantly associated with DDE. Conclusions: Infants with heavy birth weight and rapid growth during the first year of life were more vulnerable to the occurrence of DDE in terms of demarcated opacities in their permanent dentition.

Oral Health Birth Cohort Studies: Achievements, Challenges, and Potential

“…The Iowa study showed that >30% of noncavitated pit-and-fissure lesions progressed to frank decay or filled surfaces over 4 y, while very few noncavitated smooth surface lesions did so (Warren et al 2006). High birth weight and rapid growth during the first year of life were associated with developmental defects of enamel (DDEs; Wong et al 2015). DDEs are determinants of primary dentition caries (Seow et al 2016), which in turn has been associated with DDEs in permanent successor teeth (Broadbent et al 2005).…”

Developmental Enamel Defects in Children from the Southern Region of Ecuador

“…These differences could be explained by the higher rate of children with chronic or acute malnutrition and children with very low birth weight [ 38 ]. The presence of hypoplasia invites health authorities to develop and promote health measures that reduce the association of this pathology with the presence of caries and irregularities in dental surfaces [ 11 , 23 , 28 , 29 , 35 , 39 , 40 ], which can easily lead to an irreversible loss of dentin [ 41 ].…”

“…Fluorides have not always been related as the only cause of the appearance of diffuse opacities in the enamel. Certain medications such as amoxicillin administered during early childhood have been related to the appearance of these defects; however, more studies are needed that allow concluding this association [ 41 ].…”

Factors and Mechanisms Involved in Acquired Developmental Defects of Enamel: A Scoping Review

“…Stunted growth ( 68 , 93 ) seems to lead to enamel defects. Children with a high birth weight and rapid growth during their first year of life were more vulnerable to the occurrence of aDDE in their permanent dentition ( 3 ).…”

“…Prevalence of acquired DDE may reach up to 89.9% ( 3 ). A large body of literature exists about risk factors for DDE; however, DDE have been studied in silos rather than comprehensively, which has led to a rather poor understanding of pathogenic mechanisms involved in their occurrence.…”