Changes in Body Mass Index Following Dental Surgery to Treat Early Childhood Caries in Preschool Children

Purpose: To investigate changes in body mass index (BMI) following surgery to treat severe early childhood caries (S-ECC). Methods: Children no older than 71 months of age undergoing surgery to treat S-ECC were recruited into a prospective cohort study in Manitoba, Canada. Heights and weights were measured at baseline (day of surgery) and follow-up (minimum of 3 months after treatment) to calculate BMI z-scores. Both the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) classification systems were used to determine BMI health status. Descriptive statistics, bivariate analyses, change tests, and regression models were used. Results: Overall, 150 parti- cipants were recruited (mean age=47.7±14.2 months), and 104 children returned for follow-up. Mean BMI z-scores increased significantly (5.8±2.7 months; P<0.001) following surgery. Based on the WHO classification, 44% of children remained healthy based on BMI following surgery (43% for CDC), while 30% declined from the healthy to unhealthy category based on the WHO classification at follow-up (29% for CDC). Those with a household income of less than $28,000 (CAD) were more likely to be at an unhealthy BMI (P=0.01). Conclusions: Children in this study experienced a significant increase in BMI and a decline in health at follow-up. Early childhood caries and BMI share similar risk factors. Lower family income was associated with worse health after surgery when controlling for other variables. Children undergoing surgery for S-ECC would benefit from dietary, lifestyle, and physical activity interventions to improve both overall and oral health.