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To the Editor: We are concerned that by performing a large number of statistical tests on the same data set, Dr Hujoel and colleagues¹ underestimated the type I error rate. Three infant outcomes (preterm, LBW, and term LBW) were evaluated for each of 17 dental procedure characteristics, resulting in 51 possible effects. When we applied the Bonferroni correction for the evaluation of 51 repeated measurements we determined that a P value of less than .00009 would be required to achieve statistical significance.

In addition, the authors did not control for other known risk factors, such as fetal exposure to antiepiletic drugs² and the presence of congenital³ or chromosomal⁴ abnormalities.

Cassandra E. Henderson, MD
cehenderson@mic-mhra.org

Hany Ahmed, MD
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Our Lady of Mercy Medical Center
Bronx, NY

1. Hujoel PP, Bollen AM, Noonan CJ, del Aguila MA. Antepartum dental radiography and infant low birth weight. JAMA. 2004;291:1987-1993. FREE FULL TEXT 2. Battino D, Granata T, Binelli S, et al. Intrauterine growth in the offspring of epileptic mothers. Acta Neurol Scand. 1992;86:555-557. ISI | PUBMED 3. Khoury ME, Erickson JD, Cordero JF, McCarthy BJ. Congenital malformations and intrauterine growth retardation. Pediatrics. 1988;82:83-90. FREE FULL TEXT 4. Nicolaides KH, Economides DL, Scoothill PW. Blood gases, pH, and lactate in appropriate- and small-for-gestational-age fetuses. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 1989;161:996-1001. ISI | PUBMED

Letters Section Editor: Robert M. Golub, MD, Senior Editor.

JAMA. 2004;292:1019.

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