Evaluation of the relationship between pregnancy and delivery disorders and early childhood caries

Early childhood caries is one of the common problems that occur in preschool children. There is an agreement related to enamel hypoplasia occurring in severe prenatal disorders such as maternal chronic blood pressure, diabetes and premature delivery.Nevertheless, there are contradictive opinions toward the capability of the cavity formation in primary hypoplastic teeth.This research was performed during 2005 in Tehran kindergartens to investigate the relationship between pregnancy and delivery disorders and early childhood caries among 3 to 4 years old children and their control group. This was a case control survey in Tehran kindergartens that was performed on fifty 3 to 4 years old children suffering from early childhood caries and their control group which were chosen randomly. Early childhood caries was diagnosed by clinical examination (carious involvement of at least two maxillary incisors on buccal or palatal surfaces). Information forms about pregnancy and delivery complications had been filled out by mothers. The sample taking method was based on goal. Chi square analysis was used as a statistical analysis. The research was performed on 100 children. Children in 2 groups were matched according to other contributing factors. Children in 2 groups were similar and their differences were not significant. In children suffering from early childhood caries, 48% were confronting pregnancy disorders and the ones who had healthy teeth 20% were facing pregnancy disorders(P<0.05). However in children with and without history of pregnancy disorders, Early childhood caries were observed in 86% and 60% respectively (P<0.05). The results indicated that there was an association between the appearance of Early Childhood Caries and complications during pregnancy or at delivery. It is advisable that a forward looking research capturing bigger and more variety of population from pregnant women has to be done to detect children who are at risk for Early childhood caries after sustaining damaging incidents in embryo or during delivery.