Association of gestational age and birth weight with early childhood caries and developmental defects of enamel in children aged 3–6 years: A cross-sectional study

Context: Preterm birth and low birth weight (LBW) increase the risk of systemic and oral health issues, including early childhood caries (ECC) and developmental defects of enamel (DDE). Aim: To compare the prevalence of ECC and DDE among preterm LBW (PTLBW), full term LBW (FTLBW), and Full term Normal Birth Weight (FTNBW) children aged 3–6 years. Settings and Design: Cross-sectional study among 100 children attending a tertiary dental care center. Methods: Children were grouped as PTLBW and FTLBW ( n = 50) and FTNBW ( n = 50). ECC was assessed using decayed, missing, and filled teeth (dmft) and International Caries Detection and Assessment System II and DDE using the modified DDE index. Data on birth history, feeding practices, and Vitamin D supplementation were collected. Results: PTLBW children had the highest mean dmft score (8.24 ± 5.53), followed by FTLBW (5.72 ± 4.27) and FTNBW (5.32 ± 4.14). PTLBW males showed significantly higher caries prevalence than FTNBW males ( P < 0.05). Although enamel hypoplasia was more frequent in PTLBW children, the association between DDE and birth weight was not statistically significant. Feeding practices, Vitamin D deficiency, and sticky food intake were significantly associated with ECC. Conclusion: PTLBW children are at greater risk for ECC. Early identification and preventive strategies for high-risk groups are essential to reduce the complications.