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Association between high birth weight and dental caries at 4-5 years of age: a birth-cohort study
Huning Wang1,2, Hao Zhang1,2, Xiaoli Zeng1,2
1Department of Preventive Dentistry, Shanghai Stomatological Hospital & School of Stomatology, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
Insights
High birth weight is a significant risk factor for early childhood caries. Children born weighing 4,000 grams or more have an increased incidence and severity of dental caries.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Dentistry
- Public Health
- Neonatal Research
Background:
- Early childhood caries (ECC) is a major global oral health concern.
- While low birth weight's link to ECC is studied, high birth weight's impact remains less explored.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between high birth weight and the incidence and severity of dental caries in young children.
- To identify high birth weight as a potential risk factor for ECC.
Main Methods:
- A birth cohort study analyzed 491 children aged 4-5 years.
- Dental caries, prenatal/perinatal factors, and socio-demographic data were collected.
- Logistic regression models adjusted for confounders were used.
Main Results:
- 48.7% of children had dental caries.
- High birth weight (≥4,000g) was significantly associated with increased caries incidence (OR 2.000).
- The risk of severe caries (dmft ≥3) was higher in high birth weight infants (OR 2.437).
Conclusions:
- High birth weight is identified as a risk factor for early childhood caries.
- Children with birth weights of 4,000g or more require focused dental monitoring.
- This finding highlights the importance of considering birth weight in ECC prevention strategies.
Objective:
Early childhood caries has become a globally crucial oral health problem over the decades. Most studies have discussed the association between low birth weight and early childhood caries; however, studies focusing on high birth weight have been relatively limited. This study aimed to assess the impact of high birth weight on the incidence and severity of dental caries in 4-5-year-old children.
Subjects And Methods:
Study subjects included 491 children from a birth cohort study at 4-5 years of age. Data on dental caries, prenatal and perinatal factors, and socio-demographic determinants were recorded. Logistic regression models adjusted for potential confounders were performed to analyze the data. Two-sided P-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Results:
Of the 491 children, the prevalence of dental caries was 48.7%. High birth weight (≥ 4,000 g) was significantly associated with increased incidence of dental caries (OR, 2.000; CI 95% 1.062-3.765), and the relatively enhanced risk OR was further increased in subjects experiencing caries (dmft ≥ 3) (OR, 2.437; CI 95% 1.306-4.549) compared with the normal birth weight (2,500-3,999 g).
Conclusions:
High birth weight is a risk factor for early childhood caries. Particular attention should be paid to children with birth weight more than or equal to 4,000 g.
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