Developmental defects of enamel in first permanent molars associated with use of asthma drugs in preschool aged children: A retrospective case-control study

• Published in: European archives of paediatric dentistry 2017-04, Vol.18 (2), p.105-111
• Main Authors: Mastora, A., Vadiakas, G., Agouropoulos, A., Gartagani-Panagiotopoulou, P., Gemou Engesaeth, V.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adrenal Cortex Hormones - adverse effects; Age; Anti-Asthmatic Agents - adverse effects; Antibiotics; Asthma; Asthma - drug therapy; Birth weight; Breastfeeding & lactation; Bronchodilator Agents - adverse effects; Bronchodilators; Case-Control Studies; Chi-square test; Child; Child, Preschool; Children & youth; Chronic illnesses; Correlation coefficients; Defects; Demographics; Dental enamel; Dental Enamel Hypoplasia - chemically induced; Dental Enamel Hypoplasia - pathology; Dentistry; Drugs; Female; Gender; Hay fever; Health services; Humans; Male; Medical records; Medicine; Molar - pathology; Original Scientific Article; Pediatrics; Personal health; Pregnancy; Regression analysis; Retrospective Studies; Rhinitis; Sex Factors; Statistical analysis; Steroids; Tonsillitis
• ISSN: 1818-6300; 1996-9805
• DOI: 10.1007/s40368-017-0280-1

Aim To investigate the association between the occurrences of developmental defects of enamel (DDE), in first permanent molars, and bronchodilators and/or corticosteroid intake for asthma-like episodic treatment at preschool age, in 6–12 year old children. Methods Children of the case group (n = 70) were followed in the Paediatric Pulmonary Unit and the Unit of Allergology, Asthma and Inflammation at ‘Aghia Sofia’ Children’s Hospital, Athens, Greece and had used asthma drugs during their first 4 years of life. The control group (n = 70) consisted of healthy children who visited the Postgraduate Paediatric Dental Clinic, University of Athens. Information regarding demographic data, medical history, pregnancy, birth weight, duration of breastfeeding, mother’s smoking habits and antibiotic use at preschool age was obtained through a structured questionnaire. Details concerning asthma drugs used were extracted from medical records. The children in both groups underwent an oral examination under standard clinical conditions and all surfaces of first permanent molars were assessed for enamel defects using the modified DDE Index. Chi square statistics, Mann–Whitney U test, Spearman correlation coefficient and logistic regression analysis were used for statistical analysis of the data ( p  ≤ 0.05). Results DDE were present in 24 children (34.3%) in the case group and only in 6 (8.6%) in the control, with the difference between the two groups being statistically significant ( p