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Study on the association between malnutrition, early childhood caries and caries activity among children aged 3-5
Duorui Wang1, Xinfeng Wang2, Caiyun Zhao1
1Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Hospital of Stomatology and Hebei Provincial Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China.
Insights
Malnutrition in young children significantly increases the risk and severity of early childhood caries (ECC). Overnutrition, however, appears to reduce ECC risk and activity, highlighting complex links between weight status and dental health.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Dentistry
- Public Health Nutrition
- Child Development
Background:
- Early childhood caries (ECC) poses a significant global health challenge.
- Understanding the relationship between nutritional status and ECC is crucial for effective prevention strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between malnutrition and early childhood caries (ECC) and caries activity in children aged 3-5 years.
- To provide a theoretical basis for preventing ECC and addressing malnutrition in young children.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study involving 635 children aged 3-5 years in Zhao Xian, China.
- Assessment of ECC using decayed, missing, and filled teeth (dmft) index and caries activity via the Cariostat method.
- Evaluation of nutritional status using anthropometric data and the "Growth Standards for Chinese Children Under 7 Years Old", with statistical analysis including logistic regression.
Main Results:
- Underweight children had a significantly increased risk of ECC (OR=5.43) and higher caries severity (OR=2.69).
- Stunted children also exhibited higher caries severity (OR=2.28).
- Underweight (OR=2.33) and stunting (OR=2.1) were positively associated with caries activity, while overweight/obesity (OR=0.31, OR=0.61) showed a decreased risk and activity.
Conclusions:
- Undernutrition in children aged 3-5 years is positively associated with increased risk, severity, and activity of ECC.
- Overnutrition is negatively associated with ECC risk and caries activity.
- Findings underscore the importance of addressing both undernutrition and overnutrition for comprehensive ECC prevention.
Background:
This study aims to investigate the association between malnutrition and early childhood caries (ECC) and caries activity among children aged 3-5 years, in order to provide a theoretical basis for preventing and blocking ECC and improving malnutrition.
Methods:
Children aged 3-5 years from six kindergartens in Zhao Xian, China were enrolled in this study. The decayed, missing, filled teeth (dmft) of all children were examined and recorded. The Cariostat method was used to detect dental caries activity, collect anthropometric data and measure haemoglobin concentration. Parents were asked to complete a questionnaire on the general characteristics and oral health behaviour of the participants. The "Growth Standards for Chinese Children Under 7 Years Old" was used to assess the nutritional status of all participating children. Wilcoxon rank sum test and multivariate logistic regression analysis were used to analyse and evaluate the relationship between ECC, caries activity and malnutrition.
Results:
A total of 635 children who met the criteria were included in this study. After adjusting for confounding factors, logistic regression showed that the risk of ECC was significantly increased in underweight children compared with normal children (OR = 5.43, P < 0. 05); compared with normal children, the risk of ECC decreased in overweight and obese children (OR = 0.31, P < 0.001); underweight children had higher caries severity than normal weight children, and the difference was statistically significant (OR = 2.69, P < 0. 05); stunted children had higher caries severity than normal weight children and the difference was statistically significant (OR = 2.28, P < 0.05); underweight was positively associated with caries activity and the association was statistically significant (OR = 2.33, P < 0. 05); stunting was positively associated with caries activity and the association was statistically significant (OR = 2.1, P < 0.05); overweight and obesity were negatively associated with caries activity and the association was statistically significant (OR = 0.61, P < 0.05).
Conclusions:
The risk of ECC among children aged 3-5 years was positively associated with undernutrition and negatively associated with overnutrition. The severity of ECC among children aged 3-5 years was positively associated with undernutrition. The caries activity among children aged 3-5 years was positively associated with undernutrition and negatively associated with overnutrition.
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