Relationship and Association of Preterm Labor with Developmental Defects of Enamel and Dental Caries

Incidence of preterm labor (PTL) is 5-10 percent. Odontogenesis is initiated in 6th-7th week of embryonic life by budding stage and continues until juvenile period. This complex andlong standing developmental process is affected by metabolic events, physiologic and pathologic processes, and local, systemic and environmental hazardous factors. This study was aimed to determine association and relationship of preterm labor and developmental defects of enamel and dental caries.Method and Materials: Based on archives of obstetrics and gynecology wards of seven major Isfahan hospitals, 200 children with preterm and term labor were selected. Study groups were considered in equal ratios of gender. Based on WHO criteria, oral and dental health of the children was assessed. The number of decayed, filled and missed teeth and prevalence of developmental defect enamel were recorded. Findings were analyzed statistically by SPSS software using chisquare and t-test and the results were reported by descriptive statistics in figures and tables.

The prevalence of developmental defect enamel in preterm and term labor was 72% and 57%, respectively. The difference of prevalence of developmental defect enamel was significant in two groups (p value = 0.026). The mean of caries rate in preterm and term labor were 4.96 ± 3.33 and 5.72 ± 3.68, respectively. The difference of dental caries was not significant.

Preterm labor is associated with more prevalence of developmental defect enamel. The difference mean of dental caries is not related to pregnancy length.