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The relationship between term pre-eclampsia and the risk of early childhood caries
Tarek Sayyed1, Mohamed Kandil, Othman Bashir
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Menofyia University , Egypt .
Insights
This study found no significant link between pre-eclampsia and early childhood caries in children aged 3-5. Other factors like low birth weight and infant feeding patterns were associated with caries development.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Dentistry
- Obstetrics
- Public Health
Background:
- Early childhood caries (ECC) is a prevalent issue affecting young children.
- Maternal health conditions during pregnancy, such as pre-eclampsia, are being investigated for potential links to offspring's oral health.
- Understanding risk factors for ECC is crucial for developing effective prevention strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between maternal pre-eclampsia and the incidence of early childhood caries (ECC) in children aged 3 to 5 years.
- To identify other potential risk factors for ECC in this age group.
Main Methods:
- An observational, non-concurrent cohort study was conducted with 170 children aged 3-5 years.
- Dental examinations and review of maternal/pediatric medical records were performed.
- Logistic regression analysis was used to assess associations.
Main Results:
- Of 170 children, 37% had ECC. ECC was significantly associated with low birth weight, low Apgar score at 1 minute, and infant feeding patterns.
- No significant association was found between pre-eclampsia and early childhood caries.
- Relative risks for ECC were elevated for low birth weight (2.84), non-breastfed infants (1.95), and those with Apgar scores < 5 at 1 minute (2.64).
Conclusions:
- Pre-eclampsia may not be a direct risk factor for early childhood caries.
- Further research with larger sample sizes or a focus on caries-inducing lesions is recommended to clarify the relationship.
- Low birth weight, Apgar scores, and infant feeding practices are significant risk factors for ECC.
Objective:
To test the hypothesis that pre-eclampsia is associated with higher incidence of early childhood caries in children aged between 3 and 5 years old.
Design:
An observational non concurrent cohort study.
Setting:
Al-Hayat National Hospital, Khamees Mushyat, Saudi Arabic Kingdom.
Population:
Two hundred children aged 3-5 years who fulfilled the inclusion criteria.
Method:
A detailed dental examination was carried out for all children enrolled. We obtained all relevant obstetric data from mothers' and pediatric's medical records. Thirty cases were excluded due to missing data and therefore, only 170 children were considered for the statistical analysis. Results were tabulated and statistically analyzed.
Main Outcome Measure:
Early childhood caries.
Results:
Sixty-three children (37%) of the 170 were affected with early childhood caries; 6 were delivered to pre-eclamptic and 57 to non pre-eclamptic mothers. Using logistic regression curve, early childhood caries was significantly associated with low birthweight, low Apgar score at 1st min and with the pattern of infant feeding but not with pre-eclampsia. The relative risk for early childhood caries was 2.84 among low birthweight infants (95%CI: 1.47-5.49), 1.95 among non breast fed children (95% CI: 1.11-4.20) and 2.64 among those delivered with an Apgar score less than 5 at 1 minute (95%CI:1.46-4.77).
Conclusion:
Pre-ecalampsia may not be associated with early childhood caries. A larger study and/or a study addressing the relation between pre-eclampsia and caries inducing lesions may provide more significant results.
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