Mean DMFT was 1.00 in preterm children versus 0.38 in full-term children.
Women who experienced preterm birth did not have a significantly different DMFS than those who did not (mean difference -0.15, 95% CI -3.40 to 3.09; 3 studies; I2=89%); certainty of evidence not graded.
Women who experienced preterm birth did not have significantly higher DMFT than those who did not (mean difference 1.56, 95% CI -0.28 to 3.41; 5 studies; I2=92%); certainty of evidence not graded.
In children aged 3 years or younger, preterm birth was not associated with early childhood caries (OR 0.90, 95% CI 0.59 to 1.37); certainty not graded.
One study found preterm children had higher DMFT and a fourfold higher prevalence of enamel defects than full-term children (narrative synthesis; not GRADE-rated).
The planned subanalysis by type of preterm birth (spontaneous vs iatrogenic vs term) could not be performed because of the small number of cases and lack of information in the original studies.
The planned subanalysis of preterm birth by gestational age at birth (moderate-to-late, very, extremely preterm) could not be performed because of the small number of cases and lack of stratified data in the original studies.
Pregnant women with dental caries did not have a significantly increased risk of preterm birth (pooled OR 1.16, 95% CI 0.90 to 1.49; 5 studies; I2=35%); certainty of evidence not graded.
Adjusted analyses also showed no association between low birth weight and early childhood caries (adjusted OR 1.05, 95% CI 0.71 to 1.57); certainty not graded.