benzofurans and Dental-Enamel-Hypoplasia

Children's developing teeth may be sensitive to environmental pollutants such as polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs) and polychlorinated dibenzofurans. The term molar incisor hypomineralization (MIH) was introduced to describe the clinical appearance of enamel hypomineralization of systemic origin affecting one or more permanent first molars (PFMs) that are associated frequently with affected incisors.. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalance of MIH in children from the most industrialized and polluted region and the most green-energy island of Turkey.. In September 2007, a retrospective study was initiated in two elementary schools: one, a group of children (N = 153) who fitted the criteria from Tavsancil, Kocaeli (N = 109) and the other from Bozcaada island, Canakkale (N = 44). The soil samples were collected from selected regions in order to determine the contamination levels in a heavily industrialized area and a non-industrialized area.. Prevalance of MIH in children in Bozcaada island was 9.1%, while prevalance of MIH was 9.2% in Tavsancil. The PCDD/F levels in soil samples collected from Bozcaada and Tavsancil were determined as 1,12 and 8,4 I-TEQ ng/kg dry soil, respectively (P < 0.001).. In this preliminary study with a small study population, prevalence of MIH did not seem to be associated with the levels of PCDD/Fs in the environment.

Topics: Benzofurans; Child; Dental Enamel; Dental Enamel Hypoplasia; Dibenzofurans, Polychlorinated; Environmental Pollution; Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; Humans; Incisor; Medical History Taking; Molar; Polychlorinated Dibenzodioxins; Prevalence; Retrospective Studies; Rural Health; Soil Pollutants; Turkey; Urban Health

According to our earlier study, molar-incisor-hypomineralisation (MIH) was associated with the exposure of a child via mother's milk to polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins/dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) in a group of Finnish children born in 1987. Since the levels of PCDD/Fs and PCBs in mother's milk/placenta have remarkably decreased, it was important to find out if an association still exists.. The study group was composed of 167 mothers and their children. Placental samples from the mothers were collected in maternity hospitals in Helsinki and Oulu in 1995--1999 and concentrations of the 17 most toxic PCDD/PCDF and 36 PCB congeners were measured. After 7-10 years the children were examined for MIH and the mothers were interviewed on the duration of breast-feeding.. MIH was found in 24 children (14.4%). The duration of breast-feeding ranged from 0 to 30 months (mean=7.2+/-4.7). WHOPCDD/FTEQ ranged from 2.5 to 39.1 pg/g fat (mean=13.7+/-6.8) and WHOPCBTEQ from 0.7 to 9.8 pg/g fat (mean=2.7+/-1.4). The mean sum of PCDD/Fs was 196+/-105 pg/g fat and that of PCBs was 57.2+/-28.1ng/g fat. The total exposure to PCDD/Fs, which was calculated from the placental concentration (used as a proxy for the milk concentration) and duration of breastfeeding, was not associated with the occurrence or severity of MIH. Neither was the total exposure to PCBs associated with the occurrence or severity of MIH.. At prevailing levels, exposure of a child via placenta/mother's milk to PCDD/Fs and PCBs is not associated with MIH.

Topics: Abnormalities, Drug-Induced; Benzofurans; Breast Feeding; Child; Dental Enamel; Dental Enamel Hypoplasia; Dioxins; Female; Humans; Incisor; Milk, Human; Molar; Placenta; Polychlorinated Biphenyls; Polychlorinated Dibenzodioxins; Pregnancy; Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects; Teratogens; Time Factors; Tooth Demineralization