Advances in Dental Research, Vol 3, 132-142, Copyright © 1989 by International & American Associations for Dental Research
Developmental enamel defects in primary teeth in children with cerebral palsy, mental retardation, or hearing defects: a review
M. Bhat and K. B. Nelson
Developmental enamel defects in primary teeth have been found at least
twice as frequently in children with cerebral palsy or mental retardation
as in control children, and frequently also in children with sensori-neural
hearing deficits. The developing tooth germ is sensitive to a range of
systemic disturbances, some of which may also affect neurologic
development. Because the enamel cannot recover once it is damaged, it may
provide a repository of information on the timing and nature of insults
potentially affecting other ectodermally derived structures, including the
brain. This paper reviews the literature on developmental defects of enamel
in primary teeth, asking whether these might be useful as biological
markers of the timing and in some cases the nature of insults. Among
systemic factors related to development of enamel that might also have
implications for neurologic development are certain genetic disorders
including tuberous sclerosis, premature birth, neonatal nutritional
disturbances (especially hypocalcemia), viral infections (such as rubella
and cytomegalovirus during gestation), thyroid disorders, and maternal
diabetes. It is concluded that further research is warranted concerning
whether developmental defects of dental enamel can be useful markers for
the timing of intra-uterine or perinatal events associated with certain
neurologic and sensory disorders of children.
