Etiology of Molar-Incisor Hypomineralization (MIH): A Cross-Sectional Study of Saudi Children

Abstract

(1) Background: Molar-incisor hypomineralization (MIH) is a common clinical condition with critical negative consequences for dental health. The etiology of MIH is still not completely understood, although several theories have been suggested. (2) Aim: To investigate the etiology of MIH defects in a sample of Saudi school children. (3) Method: A total of 893 school children in the age range of 8–10 years participated in the study. The sample was taken from Riyadh City, Saudi Arabia. The participating children were examined for MIH using the European Academy of Pediatric Dentistry Criteria. The children’s parents were asked about the child’s pre, peri-, and postnatal condition utilizing a structured and validated questionnaire. (4) Results: A total of 362 children (168 males and 194 females) were affected with MIH, for a prevalence of 40.5%. Among all analyzed etiological factors, only jaundice was found to be significantly associated with MIH in children (OR = 1.35, p = 0.047). Multivariate logistic regression analysis confirmed that the only significant etiological factor for MIH was newborn jaundice (p = 0.04). (5) Conclusion: Newborn jaundice was the only etiological factor that showed a significant association with MIH in the studied Saudi school children.

Keywords

• MIH
• molar-incisor hypomineralization
• children
• enamel
• etiology
• pediatric dentistry