Molar incisor hypomineralisation in Bosnia and Herzegovina: aetiology and clinical consequences in medium caries activity population.

AIM This was to establish the prevalence of MIH among 12-year-old children in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and to investigate its aetiological background and clinical consequences of MIH in a population with medium caries activity. METHODS MIH prevalence was determined as a part of the first national oral health survey in Bosnia and Herzegovina in 2004, conducted on a gender balanced sample of 560 12-year-old children, in line with recommended criteria for MIH diagnosis and registration. The MIH sub-sample had been selected from the main sample and it included children with MIH and their control pairs. The two groups were matched in terms of gender, age, place of living and birth. The examinees completed questionnaires to determine variables related to development of enamel defects in first permanent molars and permanent incisors. Clinical consequences were analyzed by comparing DMFT and treatment needs. The relationship between the number of affected teeth in maxillas and mandibles and any relationship between right and left side of the jaw was also analyzed. Results were analyzed using: percentages, arithmetic mean value, standard deviation, chi- square test, T-test 2 independent samples, T test for proportion, Pearson correlation, Mann-Whitney U-test, multiple regression analyses. RESULTS The prevalence of MIH among the 12-year-old children was 12.3%. An equal number of male and female were affected. The average number of affected teeth among children with MIH was 5.59 (SD+/-2) out of which 3.16 (SD+/-1) were the first permanent molars. The research revealed demographic predisposition to MIH. The examinees with MIH suffered more often from various diseases, particularly from tonsillitis and illnesses accompanied with high fever. With the exception of tonsillectomy, variables did not appear to be related to MIH. CONCLUSIONS Based on the information about the early childhood illnesses and using multiple regression analyses, it was not possible to make a reliable prediction, whether or not a person would develop MIH. There is a clear need for further studies focused on aetiological factors in order to understand the development of MIH and adopt preventive measures for this clinically demanding condition.