The Relationship Between Microscopic Enamel Defects and Infantile Debilities

Abstract

Ground sections of 95 teeth from 34 patients with detailed medical histories were examined microscopically to determine whether defects in the enamel structure were related to the occurrence of systemic ailments. In more than 70% of the cases there was a positive correlation between the time of formation of a band of definitely defective enamel and the existence of some systemic disability. In 23% of the patients there were definite defects in the enamel of patients Who had no history of systemic conditions which might have produced enamel defects. In 6% there were no enamel changes in patients who had histories of disabilities which had produced enamel changes in other patients. Deficiencies of Vits. A, C, D, and also of Ca and P were the commonest cause of defective enamel formation. Enamel defects were also noted in relation to chicken pox, measles, pneumonia, pertussis, intestinal and gastric disturbances and upper respiratory infection in the children and toxemia of pregnancy in the mother, but in practically all instances these conditions were superimposed upon an inadequate nutritional state.