Investigation of the presence of gluten-related diseases in children with molar incisor hypomineralization by serological and genetic tests

Molar-Incisor Hypomineralization (MIH) is an enamel defect that occurs in permanent first molars and incisors due to calcium and phosphate deficiency in matrix formation of ameloblasts or inadequate removal of enamel proteins. The etiology of MIH is not completely known. The aim of our study is to investigate the presence of gluten-related disorders in children who have MIH lesions by using serological and genetic tests. 60 pediatric patients with no systemic disease, aged 7-13, who applied to Bezmialem Vakif University Faculty of Dentistry, Department of Pedodontics for dental treatment were included in our study. The study group was formed with 40 pediatric patients with MIH lesions and a control group with 20 pediatric patients without MIH lesions. Following the dental examination, all children answered the questionnaire with accompany of their parents, to evaluate the presence of oral and general symptoms of gluten-related disorders. Subsequently, serological tests (Tissue transglutaminase IgA, Endomysium Antibody, Total IgA) and genetic tests (HLA-DQ2 and HLA-DQ8) were performed on all children to help the diagnosis of gluten-related disorders. The findings obtained from the study were analyzed by IBM SPSS Statistics (IBM SPSS, Turkey) program. Fisher's Exact Chi-Square test, Continuity (Yates) Correction and Fisher-Freeman Halton tests were used to compare qualitative data and Student's t test was used to compare quantitative data (p <0.05). As a result of the tests performed, 3 positive and 3 limit values of tissue transglutaminase antibody were found in children with MIH lesions. EMA, HLA-DQ2 and HLA-DQ8 tests were also positive in 2 of these children. The condition of these 2 pediatric patients, who were referred to a pediatrician and diagnosed as celiac as a result of biopsy, draw attention to the importance of clinical and serological-genetic tests in early diagnosis of celiac. Conducting new studies that bring gluten-related disorders together with MIH lesions on a common ground is also of great importance in ensuring the oral and dental health of these children. Keywords: Molar-Incisor Hypomineralization (MIH), gluten, celiac disease, genetics, enamel defects