Ramah Elmad Makleh - ۱Damascus University, Damascus, Syria
Chaza Kouchaji - Head of Syrian Pedodontic Association, Professor Dr. Pedodontic Department, Damascus University, Damascus, Syria
Saleh Al Kurdi - Ph.D. Resident in Pediatric Dentistry, Pediatric Dentistry Department, Damascus University, Damascus, Syria

Background: Down syndrome (DS) is a disorder which has conditions that may contribute to thedevelopmental defects of enamel (DDE) etiologies. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence ofDDE among children with DS.Methods: This study cross-sectional observational study examined a total of ۸۸ children with DS and ۸۷healthy children. A modified DDE index for screening surveys was employed in this regard. Demarcatedopacities, diffuse opacities, dysplasia, and combinations between types were recorded, and finally, datawere analyzed by chi-square and Mann-Whitney U tests using SPSS software.Results: The prevalence of enamel defects in DS and control groups was obtained as ۴۵% and ۳۴%,respectively, with no statistically significant differences between the groups (P = ۰.۱۳۹). The mean numberof teeth with DDE was ۲.۴۸ ± ۳.۷۹ and ۱.۰۹ ± ۲.۱۱ in the DS and control groups, respectively. Based onthe results, statistically significant differences were found between DDE means (P = ۰.۰۰۹). Demarcatedopacities were the most frequent type of enamel defects in both groups. Eventually, a statistically significantrelationship was observed between diffuse opacities and DS (P = ۰.۰۰۰).Conclusions: In general, DS had no influence on DDE prevalence; however, it increases affected dentalunits. Diffuse opacities are more frequent among children with DS compared to healthy children. Furtherstudies are required on the DDE prevalence in Syria.

Down syndrome, Enamel defects, Children, Opacities