Abstract
Abstract
Aim This study aimed to determine the prevalence, pattern
and severity of MIH in school children resident in a
suburban population in Nigeria.
Methods This was a cross-sectional study involving
pupils aged 8–10 years resident in suburban Nigeria. Details
of each pupil’s socio-demographic variables were
collected. Intra-oral examination was conducted to determine
the presence of MIH, the affected tooth and the
severity of the lesion. The association between the prevalence
of MIH and socio-demographic variables of each
child was determined. The predictors of MIH were also
determined using a binomial regression analysis.
Result Eighty-three of the 469 children examined
(17.7 %) had MIH. There was no significant association
between sex (p = 0.58), socio-economic status (p = 0.09),
age (p = 0.26) and MIH. There was also no significant
difference in the number of teeth affected by MIH in the
maxilla and mandible, and on the right and left side of the
face. The most commonly affected teeth were the left
mandibular molars. The occlusal surfaces of the first
molars were mostly affected by MIH and the severity of
MIH on the teeth examined varied from mild (80.8 %),
moderate (14.0 %) to severe (5.2 %).
Conclusion The prevalence of MIH in this study
population is consistent with previous reports. The nonassociation
between sex and MIH prevalence, the varied
severity of the lesion and association between MIH affectation
of the first permanent molars and central incisors
give more weight to the possible role of environmental
factors in the aetiology of the lesion. The non-association
between MIH and socio-economic status may serve as a
distinctive feature of MIH and chronological enamel
hypoplasia.
