Socioeconomic factors and feeding in the first two years of life associated with molar incisor hypomineralisation.

Abstract

Purpose: The main objective of this study was to evaluate the relationship between Molar Incisor Hypomineralisation (MIH) and socioeconomic factors in a sample of children in the Community of Madrid.

Methods: An observational, descriptive, cross-sectional, and multicentre study was designed. After a previous calibration of all the examiners and following the diagnostic criteria of the European Academy of Paediatric Dentistry (EAPD), children between 8 and 16 years old were included from among the users of the dental services of eight primary care oral health units of the Madrid Health Service. The children underwent a dental examination, and the parents were asked to complete a questionnaire on possible socioeconomic factors related to the appearance of MIH. Factors such as sex, race, parental education, area of residence, exposure to tobacco and diet in the first two years of life were analysed. With MIH (yes/no) as the dependent variable, the χ2 test was used to compare categorical variables between MIH and non-MIH children. A logistic regression model was made with MIH (yes/no) as the dependent variable and the independent variables being those that were clinically relevant or significant in the bivariate analysis. Their associations are expressed as odds ratios (ORs).

Results: Females were significantly more likely to have MIH. The prevalence of MIH decreased with age. Residents in Parla had MIH more often than residents of other municipalities of the Community of Madrid. No other socioeconomic factor studied was associated with MIH.

Conclusions: Residents in the municipality of Parla had a higher frequency of MIH, which was a municipality with a low per capita income. When comparing the presence of MIH in breastfed children, statistically significant differences were observed. Logistic regression, however, did not suggest that breastfeeding could influence the presence of MIH. Further study is warranted on possible socioeconomic risk factors for MIH, such as household income, to lower the incidence of this pathology.