Association Between Dental Caries in Primary Dentition with Low Birth Weight and Premature Birth: A Case-Control Study

Objectives: Since earlier studies on the association between dental caries with birth problems are very controversial, this study assessed the potential association between DMFT index with low birth and preterm birth. Methods: In this matched case-control study, 150 children were divided into 75 case (premature birth and low birth weight) and 75 control subjects. The 2 groups were balanced according to age, gender, socioeconomic statuses (including mother’s and father’s education, family size, district of residence, and type of the kindergarten), mother’s job (yes/no), common types of diets during the first 2 years of life, brushing, dental visits, being right-handed or left-handed, and fluoride therapy. The DMFT of children were assessed by a dental student. Their gestational age at birth and birth weight were asked from their parents. The effects of the factors premature birth (less than 37 weeks) and low birth weight (less than 2500 gm) on DMFT were assessed using Chi-square test (α = 0.05). Results: The 2 groups did not have any significant differences regarding the balanced characteristics. We did not detect a statistically significant result between case children with DMFT > 2 and low-birth weight (P = 0.065) defined as weights ≤ 2500 gm or > 2500 gm (P = 0.174). This study also failed to find a significant result regarding gestational age and DMFT (P = 0.480). Conclusions: This study did not detect significant associations between low birth weight or preterm birth and DMFT values in primary dentition.