[Socioeconomic factors, nutritional risk, and enamel defects in children from João Pessoa, Paraíba State, Brazil]

Abstract

This study focused on factors related to nutritional risk in children over one year of age from low-income families in João Pessoa, Paraíba State, Northeast Brazil, and the frequency of related enamel defects. The study included 117 children, 56 at nutritional risk and 61 with normal growth. Nutritional evaluation, clinical dental examination, and interviews with mothers were conducted at the homes. Gestational and birth records were examined in the maternity hospital. Data were analyzed using the chi-square, Fisher's exact tests, and logistic regression. Enamel defects were associated with nutritional risk after the first year of life. Nutritional risk was associated with per capita family income, birth weight, and intrauterine growth index. These are relevant factors for individual nutritional planning and formation of dental enamel.