Prevalence and possible etiological factors of enamel hypomineralization in children in a population of Araçatuba/SP

• Grant number: 23/05425-1
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: October 01, 2023
• End date: September 30, 2024
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Dentistry - Pediatric Dentistry
• Principal Investigator: Juliano Pelim Pessan
• Grantee: Beatriz Campos Lopes
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Odontologia (FOA). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Araçatuba. Araçatuba , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Enamel hypomineralization consists of specific qualitative defects that occur during enamel development and may affect permanent teeth and/or deciduous teeth. Clinically, this alteration presents as demarcated opacity, which can lead to large structural losses. Currently, its etiology is unclear, there is a correlation of health factors during pregnancy such as maternal disease and the use of medications, prematurity and complications during childbirth, as well as diseases in childhood. Thus, the objectives of the study will be to determine the prevalence and study the possible etiological factors of enamel hypomineralization in children in a population of Araçatuba/SP. For this, children from 2 to 12 years old, patients from the clinics of Pediatric Dentistry or Baby Clinic will be selected for the study. Clinical examination will be performed based on criteria for evaluation of HMI and HMD, presence of caries and other variables. Pre- and postnatal information will also be obtained through questionnaires. The prevalence of HMI and/or HMD will be calculated and the association of HMI/HMD and dichotomous variables will be performed by the chi-square test in each population, considering a significance level of 5%. Odds ratio (OR) with a 95% confidence interval will be calculated to estimate the risk of HMI/HMD according to pre- and postnatal conditions obtained in the forms and questionnaires. This study aims to contribute to the literature for the prevalence and etiology of these enamel alterations in children and to assist future population studies of the research group.