Association of Maternal Risk Factors with Molar Incisor Hypomineralisation in Children Living in Kannur, India – A Case–Control Study

Abstract Background: Molar incisor hypomineralisation (MIH) is a developmental enamel defect with a multifactorial origin. This study evaluated the association between maternal risk factors during the prenatal and perinatal periods and MIH in children from rural Kannur, India. Materials and Methods: A case–control study was conducted amongst 450 children aged 6–13 years (150 MIH cases, 300 controls). Data on maternal health, pregnancy complications and neonatal outcomes were collected using questionnaires. MIH diagnosis was based on the European Academy of Paediatric Dentistry criteria. Statistical analysis included Mann–Whitney U -tests and multiple binary logistic regression, with P < 0.05 considered statistically significant. Results: The mean age of children with MIH was 9.64 ± 2.11 years and 9.30 ± 2.08 years in controls. Amongst MIH cases, 48.7% were male and 51.3% were female. No significant associations were found between MIH and prenatal factors such as maternal age (26.70 ± 4.70 years vs. 27.24 ± 4.05 years; P = 0.560), allergies, medication use or infections. Similarly, perinatal factors such as mode of delivery (56% normal vs. 44% caesarean), birth weight and breastfeeding duration showed no statistically significant relationship (all P > 0.05). Odds ratios for assessed factors were close to 1.0 with P > 0.05. Conclusions: No significant associations were observed between maternal prenatal or perinatal factors and MIH, reinforcing its multifactorial nature. The findings underscore the importance of maternal and child health and support the need for larger longitudinal studies incorporating biological markers to better understand MIH’s aetiology.