Distinguishing predisposing factors for enamel hypoplasia and molar-incisor hypomineralization in children in Ile-Ife, Nigeria

ABSTRACT

Aim: To determine if the prevalence of enamel hypoplasia, molar-incisor hypomineralisation(MIH) and deciduous molar hypomineralisation (DMH) is associated with the socioeconomicstatus of the child and to determine the prevalence of enamel hypoplasia and MIH/DMH comorbidityin the study population. Methods: Information was collected on the sex andsocioeconomic status of the 1,169 study participants’ resident in Ile-Ife, Nigeria, recruited througha household survey. The children were clinically examined to assess for the presence of enamelhypoplasia, MIH and DMH. Associations between sex, socioeconomic status and the prevalenceof enamel hypoplasia, MIH and DMH were determined. The proportion of children with enamelhypoplasia and MIH/DMH co-morbidity was also determined. Results: Among the 1,169 studyparticipants, 47(4.0%) had MIH, 15 (1.3%) had DMH and 161 (13.8%) had enamel hypoplasia. One (0.09%) study participant had MIH/DMH co-morbidity, 12 (1.0%) had DMH/enamel hypoplasiaco-morbidity, and 9 (0.8%) had MIH/hypoplasia co-morbidity. There was no significant associationbetween the socioeconomic status and presence of enamel hypoplasia (p=0.22), MIH (p=0.78) orDMH (p=1.00). Conclusions: The socioeconomic status cannot be used as a distinguishing factorfor enamel hypoplasia, MIH and DMH. The possibility of co-existence of enamel hypoplasia andMIH/DMH makes it imperative to find ways to distinguish between the lesions.