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[Is the severity of caries associated with malnutrition in preschool children?]
Insights
The severity of dental caries is linked to protein-calorie malnutrition in young children. This finding highlights the need to integrate oral health into child public health policies.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Nutrition
- Oral Health Epidemiology
- Public Health Policy
Context:
- Protein-calorie malnutrition is a significant concern in preschool children.
- Dental caries prevalence is high in this age group.
- Understanding the relationship between malnutrition and oral health is crucial for effective interventions.
Purpose:
- To investigate the association between the severity of dental caries and protein-calorie malnutrition in preschool children.
- To analyze contributing factors using a hierarchical model.
- To inform public health strategies for child well-being.
Summary:
- A cross-sectional study analyzed 625 preschool children (24-71 months) in São Luís, Maranhão.
- Protein-calorie malnutrition (weight-for-height z-score < -2) affected 5.0% of children, while 32% had dental caries.
- Severity of caries was significantly associated with protein-calorie malnutrition, even after adjusting for socio-economic and other health factors.
Impact:
- The study reveals a positive association between severe dental caries and malnutrition in preschool children.
- Findings underscore the importance of integrating oral health assessments into nutritional screening and public health programs.
- This research supports the development of comprehensive healthcare policies addressing both oral health and nutritional status in children.
Abstract:
An analysis was conducted to evaluate if the severity of caries is associated with protein-calorie malnutrition in preschool children. The cross-sectional study was performed on a retrospective cohort of 625 children aged 24-71 months attending daycare centers in São Luís, Maranhão. A hierarchical model was evaluated at five levels: 1.) Socio-economic variables (economic group, mother's educational level and skin color); 2) Access variables; 3) Low birth weight (LBW) and exclusive breastfeeding; 4) Weight per height at 12 months; and 5) Severity of caries and albumin (Alb) levels. The outcome was protein-calorie malnourishment (weight per height z score < -2). The prevalence of outcome was 5.0% and the prevalence of caries was 32%. At the first level, the variables were not associated with the outcome, but the economic group was maintained until the final model. The variables in the second and third levels were not significant. At the fourth level, weight for height at 12 months was not significant, but was maintained until the final model. In the last level, severity of caries was positively associated with malnourishment. The association between severity of caries and malnourishment suggest that oral health should be integrated with public health care policies for children.
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