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Influence of Maternal Prenatal Vitamin D Status on Infant Oral Health

Influence of Maternal Prenatal Vitamin D Status on Infant Oral Health

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The Link Between Enamel Hypoplasia and Early Childhood Caries<br />

The integrity <str<strong>on</strong>g>of</str<strong>on</strong>g> the primary tooth enamel (host resistance) is an important aspect<br />

in ECC development. Enamel hypoplasia results from defective amelogenesis, and is<br />

clinically identified by absences <str<strong>on</strong>g>of</str<strong>on</strong>g>, pitting, grooves, or other irregularities <str<strong>on</strong>g>of</str<strong>on</strong>g> enamel. 89-93<br />

These structural defects may place an infant’s primary teeth at greater risk for bacterial<br />

col<strong>on</strong>izati<strong>on</strong>, specifically, by Mutans streptococci, resulting in dental caries. 94,95 These<br />

and other cariogenic oral bacteria c<strong>on</strong>vert dietary carbohydrates into acids, which can<br />

lead to the demineralizati<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>of</str<strong>on</strong>g> tooth enamel and subsequent decay. Therefore, the<br />

calcificati<strong>on</strong> process <str<strong>on</strong>g>of</str<strong>on</strong>g> primary teeth, when enamel formati<strong>on</strong> is occurring is crucial to<br />

understanding the significance <str<strong>on</strong>g>of</str<strong>on</strong>g> enamel hypoplasia. The primary maxillary anterior<br />

teeth begin to calcify during the sec<strong>on</strong>d trimester, specifically between weeks 13 and 17<br />

in utero, and this process does not end until 3 m<strong>on</strong>ths postnatal. 96,97 Therefore, it is<br />

important to investigate the possible etiologies in utero that can disrupt normal enamel<br />

formati<strong>on</strong>, as enamel hypoplasia is c<strong>on</strong>sistent with the period <str<strong>on</strong>g>of</str<strong>on</strong>g> amelogenesis,<br />

documented to originate in utero and end so<strong>on</strong> after birth.<br />

Causes <str<strong>on</strong>g>of</str<strong>on</strong>g> Enamel Hypoplasia and the Potential Link with <str<strong>on</strong>g>Vitamin</str<strong>on</strong>g> D<br />

Primary tooth enamel defects have been correlated with several factors ranging<br />

from genetic disorders to difficulties arising during prenatal and early postnatal periods. 66<br />

Such disorders include low birth weight, malnourishment, prematurity, and metabolic<br />

difficulties. 66<br />

Deficiencies <str<strong>on</strong>g>of</str<strong>on</strong>g> vitamin D in utero are also believed to be associated with<br />

enamel hypoplasia, because <str<strong>on</strong>g>of</str<strong>on</strong>g> metabolic insult to ameloblasts 98-103 , a theory first<br />

proposed by Lady May Mellanby in the 1920s. 104,105 1.1-8

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