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Am J Perinatol 2010; 27(5): 393-397
DOI: 10.1055/s-0029-1243314
© Thieme Medical Publishers

Unconjugated Hyperbilirubinemia and Early Childhood Caries in a Diverse Group of Neonates

Sanjiv B. Amin1 , Jeffrey M. Karp2 , Layne P. Benzley2
  • 1Divisions of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York
  • 2Pediatric Dentistry, Department of Pediatrics, University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, New York
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Publication History

Publication Date:
10 December 2009 (online)

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ABSTRACT

We evaluated if the development of early childhood caries is associated with the severity of unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia during the first 2 weeks after birth. We performed a retrospective case-control study of children less than 6 years of age seen for comprehensive dental examination by pediatric dentists years following a hospital stay in the neonatal intensive care unit. Exclusion criteria included genetic disorders, cleft palate, direct hyperbilirubinemia, and missing information on jaundice. Children with early childhood caries were compared with those without dental caries for a panel of perinatal and neonatal clinical variables. Seventy-six children met study criteria. Of 76 children, 42 children had early childhood caries, while 34 children had healthy primary dentitions. Among clinical variables, only race and peak total serum bilirubin concentration differed significantly between the two groups on bivariate analysis. On logistic regression, peak total serum bilirubin concentration was significantly associated with early childhood caries (adjusted odds ratio 1.17, 95% confidence interval 1.04 to 1.32). Neonatal unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia may be associated with early childhood caries in children.

KEYWORDS

Dental enamel hypoplasia - free bilirubin - total serum bilirubin - dental caries

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Sanjiv B AminM.D. M.S. 

Department of Pediatrics, PO Box 651

601 Elmwood Avenue, Rochester, NY 14642

Email: Sanjiv_Amin@urmc.rochester.edu

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