The Effects of Preterm Birth and Low Birth Weight on Early Childhood Caries in Children

Abstract

Objective: Early childhood caries is an important public health problem that is common in preschool children and affects the growth and development of the children. In this study, it was aimed to evaluate the effects of low birth weight and preterm birth on dental caries by evaluating oral-dental health in children between the ages of 28-71 months.

Material and Methods: Four hundred and twenty patients who were admitted to the Department of Pedodontics, aged between 28-71 months, were included in our study. Intraoral examinations of the patients were performed and the decay (d), missing (m) for caries and filled (f) teeth (t) were evaluated. The relationship of these values with age, gender, birth weight, birth week, frequency of tooth brushing, parental education levels were examined. The obtained data were analyzed statistically.

Results: A total of 420 patients (195 females, 225 males) with a mean age of 54.41±10.46 months were included in our study group. The mean dmft value was 8.02±4.20. There was no statistically significant relationship between preterm and low birth weight children and normal birth weight children in terms of mean d, dmft and dmfs values (p>0.05). It was determined that mean d value decreased, m and f values increased with increasing age, and statistically significant relationship was found between age and mean f value (p=0.004).

Conclusion: In our study, although preterm birth and low birth weight did not have effects on early childhood caries, it is thought that studies that will be performed by grouping birth week and birth weight in large study groups could give more clear results. In order to take control of early childhood caries, it is necessary to focus on educational and protective services starting from the pregnancy period.

Keywords

• birth weight
• early childhood caries
• premature birth

ÇOCUKLARDA ERKEN DOĞUM VE DÜŞÜK DOĞUM AĞIRLIĞININ ERKEN ÇOCUKLUK ÇAĞI ÇÜRÜKLERİ ÜZERİNE ETKİLERİ

Abstract

Amaç: Erken çocukluk çağı çürükleri, okul öncesi çocuklarda yaygın olarak görülen, çocukların büyüme ve gelişimini etkileyen önemli bir halk sağlığı sorunudur. Bu çalışmada, 28-71 ay aralığında erken çocukluk çağı çürüklerine sahip çocuklarda ağız-diş sağlığının değerlendirilerek, düşük doğum ağırlığı ve erken doğumun diş çürükleri üzerine etkilerinin incelenmesi amaçlanmıştır.

Gereç ve Yöntemler: Çalışmamıza, Pedodonti Anabilim Dalına başvuran yaşları 28-71 ay arasında değişen erken çocukluk çağı çürüklerine sahip 420 hasta dâhil edilmiştir. Hastaların ağız içi muayeneleri yapılarak, çürük (d), çürük nedeniyle çekilmiş (m), dolgulu (f) dişler (t) değerlendirilmeye alınmıştır. Bu değerlerin; yaş, cinsiyet, doğum ağırlığı, doğum haftası, diş fırçalama sıklıkları, ebeveyn eğitim seviyeleri ile olan ilişkileri incelenmiştir. Elde edilen veriler istatistiksel olarak analiz edilmiştir.

Bulgular: Yaşları ortalaması 54.41±10.46 ay olan 195’i kız ve 225’i erkek toplam 420 hasta çalışma grubumuzu oluşturmuştur. Ortalama dmft değeri 8.02±4.20 olarak belirlenmiştir. Erken doğan ve düşük doğum ağırlıklı çocuklar ile zamanında doğan normal doğum ağırlıklı çocuklar arasında ortalama d, dmft, dmfs değerleri bakımından istatistiksel olarak anlamlı ilişki bulunmamıştır (p>0.05). Yaşın artmasıyla birlikte ortalama d değerinin azaldığı, m, f değerlerinin arttığı belirlenirken, yaş ile ortalama f değeri arasında istatistiksel olarak anlamlı ilişki bulunmuştur (p=0.004).

Sonuç: Çalışmamızda, erken doğum ve düşük doğum ağırlığının erken çocukluk çağı çürükleri üzerine etkileri olmadığı görülmesine karşın, geniş örneklem büyüklüğünde doğum haftası ve doğum ağırlığının gruplandırılarak yapılacak olan çalışmaların daha net sonuçlar verebileceği düşünülmektedir. Erken çocukluk çağı çürüklerinin kontrol altına alınabilmesi için hamilelik döneminden başlayarak eğitici ve koruyucu hizmetlere ağırlık verilmesi gerekmektedir.

Keywords

• doğum ağırlığı
• erken çocukluk çağı çürükleri
• preterm doğum

References

1. 1. American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. Definition of early childhood caries (ECC). Accessed date: 02.03.2020: http://aapd.org/media/Policies_Guidelines/D_ECC.pdf.
2. 2. Seow WK. Early childhood caries. Pediatr Clin North Am. 2018;65(5):941-54.
3. 3. Huong DM, Hang LT, Ngoc VTN, Anh LQ, Son LH, Chu D et al. Prevalence of early childhood caries and its related risk factors in preschoolers: Result from a cross sectional study in Vietnam. Pediatr Dent J. 2017;27(2):79-84.
4. 4. Wigen TI, Espelid I, Skaare AB, Wang NJ. Family characteristics and caries experience in preschool children. A longitudinal study from pregnancy to 5 years of age. Community Dent Oral Epidemiol. 2011;39(4):311-7.
5. 5. Mantonanaki M, Koletsi-Kounari H, Mamai-Homata E, Papaioannou W. Prevalence of dental caries in 5-year-old Greek children and the use of dental services: evaluation of socioeconomic, behavioural factors and living conditions. Int Dent J. 2013;63(2):72-9.
6. 6. Olatosi OO, Inem V, Sofola OO, Prakash P, Sote EO. The prevalence of early childhood caries and its associated risk factors among preschool children referred to a tertiary care institution. Niger J Clin Pract. 2015;18(4):493-501.
7. 7. Nobile CG, Fortunato L, Bianco A, Pileggi C, Pavia M. Pattern and severity of early childhood caries in Southern Italy: a preschool-based cross-sectional study. BMC Public Health. 2014;14:206.
8. 8. Folayan MO, Oginni AB, El Tantawi M, Alade M, Adeniyi AA, Finlayson TL. Association between nutritional status and early childhood caries risk profile in a suburban Nigeria community. Int J Paediatr Dent. 2020;30(6):798-804.

9. 9. Colombo S, Gallus S, Beretta M, Lugo A, Scaglioni S, Colombo P et al. Prevalence and determinants of early childhood caries in Italy. Eur J Paediatr Dent. 2019;20(4):267-73.
10. 10. El Tantawi M, Folayan MO, Mehaina M, Vukovic A, Castillo JL, Gaffar BO et al. Prevalence and data availability of early childhood caries in 193 United nations countries, 2007-2017. Am J Public Health. 2018;108(8):1066-72.
11. 11. Aydınoğlu S, Kuşgöz A. Prevalence of early childhood caries and associated risk factors among 3-6-year-old children in Trabzon. J Dent Fac Atatürk Uni. 2019;29(4):589-96.
12. 12. Ozer S, Sen Tunc E, Bayrak S, Egilmez T. Evaluation of certain risk factors for early childhood caries in Samsun, Turkey. Eur J Paediatr Dent. 2011;12(2):103-6.
13. 13. Dogan D, Dulgergil CT, Mutluay AT, Yildirim I, Hamidi MM, Colak H. Prevalence of caries among preschool-aged children in a central Anatolian population. J Nat Sci Biol Med. 2013;4(2):325-9.
14. 14. United Nations Children’s Fund and World Health Organization. Low birthweight: Country, regional and global estimates. UNICEF; New York: 2004. Accessed at: 02.03.2020: https://apps.who.int/iris/handle/10665/43184.
15. 15. World Health Organization. Oral Health Surveys: Basic Methods. Geneva, Switzerland: World Health Organization, 1997. Acceessed date: 02.03.2020: http://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/10665/41905/1/9241544937.pdf.
16. 16. Kırzıoğlu Z, Gürbüz T, Şimşek S, Yağdıran A, Karatoprak O. Erzurum, Bursa ve Isparta illerinde, 2-5 yaş grubu çocuklarda çürük sıklığı ve bazı risk faktörlerinin değerlendirilmesi. Atatürk Üniv Diş Hek Fak Derg. 2002;12(2):6-13.
17. 17. Ölmez S, Uzamiş M. Risk factors of early childhood caries in Turkish children. Turk J Pediatr. 2002;44(3):230-6.
18. 18. Gökalp S, Doğan BG, Tekçiçek M, Berberoğlu A, Ünlüer Ş. Beş, on iki ve on beş yaş çocukların ağız diş sağlığı profili, Türkiye-2004. Hacettepe Üniv Diş Hek Fak Derg. 2007;31(4):3-10.
19. 19. Şengül F, Derelioğlu S, Yıldırım M, Demirci T, Çelik P, Çoruh M. Erzurum ilinde 4-6 yaş grubu çocuklarda oral sağlık durumunun gözden geçirilmesi. Atatürk Üniv Diş Hek Fak Derg. 2013;21(2):153-8.
20. 20. Paulsson L, Bondemark L, Söderfeldt B. A systematic review of the consequences of premature birth on palatal morphology, dental occlusion, tooth-crown dimensions, and tooth maturity and eruption. Angle Orthod. 2004;74(2):269-79.
21. 21. Nirunsittirat A, Pitiphat W, McKinney CM, DeRouen TA, Chansamak N, Angwaravong O et al. Adverse birth outcomes and childhood caries: a cohort study. Community Dent Oral Epidemiol. 2016;44(3):239-47.
22. 22. Rythén M, Sabel N, Dietz W, Robertson A, Norén JG. Chemical aspects on dental hard tissues in primary teeth from preterm infants. Eur J Oral Sci. 2010;118(4):389-95.
23. 23. Occhi-Alexandre IGP, Cruz PV, Bendo CB, Paiva SM, Pordeus IA, Martins CC. Prevalence of dental caries in preschool children born preterm and/or with low birth weight: A systematic review with meta-analysis of prevalence data. Int J Paediatr Dent. 2020;30(3):265-75.
24. 24. Tanaka K, Miyake Y. Low birth weight, preterm birth or small for gestational age are not associated with dental caries in young Japanese children. BMC Oral Health. 2014;14:38.
25. 25. Rajshekar SA, Laxminarayan N. Comparison of primary dentition caries experience in pre-term low birth-weight and full-term normal birth-weight children aged one to six years. J Indian Soc Pedod Prev Dent. 2011;29(2):128-34.
26. 26. O'Connell S, O'Connell A, O'Mullane E, Hoey H. Medical, nutritional, and dental considerations in children with low birth weight. Pediatr Dent. 2009;31(7):504-12.
27. 27. Sun X, Bernabé E, Liu X, Gallagher JE, Zheng S. Early life factors and dental caries in 5-year-old children in China. J Dent. 2017;64:73-9.
28. 28. Bernabé E, MacRitchie H, Longbottom C, Pitts NB, Sabbah W. Birth weight, breastfeeding, maternal smoking and caries trajectories. J Dent Res. 2017;96(2):171-8.
29. 29. Saraiva MC, Bettiol H, Barbieri MA, Silva AA. Are intrauterine growth restriction and preterm birth associated with dental caries? Community Dent Oral Epidemiol. 2007;35(5):364-76.
30. 30. Schroth RJ, Cheba V. Determining the prevalence and risk factors for early childhood caries in a community dental health clinic. Pediatr Dent. 2007;29(5):387-96.
31. 31. Sankeshwari RM, Ankola AV, Tangade PS, Hebbal MI. Association of socio-economic status and dietary habits with early childhood caries among 3- to 5-year-old children of Belgaum city. Eur Arch Paediatr Dent. 2013;14(3):147-53.
32. 32. Al-Hosani E, Rugg-Gunn A. Combination of low parental educational attainment and high parental income related to high caries experience in pre-school children in Abu Dhabi. Community Dent Oral Epidemiol. 1998;26(1):31-6.
33. 33. Stephen A, Krishnan R, Ramesh M, Kumar VS. Prevalence of early childhood caries and its risk factors in 18-72 month old children in Salem, Tamil Nadu. J Int Soc Prev Community Dent. 2015;5(2):95-102.