RT Journal
A1 Hong L, Levy SM, Warren JJ, Dawson DV, Bergus GR, Wefel JS
T1 ASsociation of amoxicillin use during early childhood with developmental tooth enamel defects
JF Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine
JO Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine
YR 2005
FD October 1
VO 159
IS 10
SP 943
OP 948
DO 10.1001/archpedi.159.10.943
UL http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/archpedi.159.10.943
AB Background 
    It has been speculated that amoxicillin use could be associated with dental enamel defects.Objective 
    To assess the association between dental fluorosis, one of the most common developmental tooth enamel defects, and amoxicillin use during early childhood.Design, Setting, and Participants 
    As participants in the Iowa Fluoride Study, subjects were followed up from birth to 32 months using questionnaires every 3 to 4 months to gather information on fluoride intake and amoxicillin use.Methods 
    Early-erupting permanent teeth of 579 subjects were assessed for fluorosis using the Fluorosis Risk Index at approximately the age of 9 years. Relationships between fluorosis and amoxicillin use were assessed using relative risk (RR), Mantel-Haenszel stratified analyses, and multivariable logistic regression.Results 
    Amoxicillin use was reported by 75% of subjects by 12 months and 91% by 32 months. Overall, 24% had fluorosis on both maxillary central incisors. Amoxicillin use from 3 to 6 months significantly increased the risk of fluorosis on the maxillary central incisors (RR = 2.04; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.49-2.78). After adjusting for fluoride intake and otitis media, the risk of fluorosis on the maxillary central incisors from amoxicillin use during 3 to 6 months (Mantel-Haenszel RR = 1.85; 95% CI, 1.20-2.78) was still statistically significant. Multivariable logistic regression analyses confirmed the increased risk of fluorosis from amoxicillin use during 3 to 6 months (odds ratio = 2.50; 95% CI, 1.21-5.15); fluoride intake was also statistically significant.Conclusion 
    The findings from this study suggest a link between amoxicillin use during infancy and developmental enamel defects of permanent teeth; however, further research is needed.