Is there an association between body weight and early childhood caries experience?

[The impact of dental caries prevention program on the anthropometric measurements of preschool children]

THE AIM OF THE STUDY

Was to compare body mass indices (BMI) of children receiving and not receiving dental caries prevention program in preschool institutions at the age of 3-6 years.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The study comprised163 children (76 boys and 87 girls) initially examined at the age of 3 years in nurseries of the Khimki city region. In one of the nurseries 54 children received dental caries prevention and educational program for 3 years. Other 109 children not receiving any special programs served as controls. Data on caries prevalence and intensity as well as weight and height were collected at baseline examination and 3 years after. BMI was calculated by standard formula and WHO criteria for weight deficiency, normal weight, overweight and obesity for children aged 2-5 and 6-17 years were applied.

RESULTS

Caries prevalence in 3-years-old was 34.1% with dmft median of 1.4 teeth. After 3 years the prevalence of dental caries reached 72.5% in controls and was almost twice as low in the main group (39.3%). Caries intensity growth was also significantly higher in controls (p<0.0001). There was statistically significant difference on the rate of underweight and normal weight in children receiving and not receiving dental caries preventive program (p<0.05). The rate of normal and low BMI in the main group was 82.6% (vs. 66% in controls) and 7.7% (vs. 22%), correspondingly. The higher the caries intensity the more is the risk for being underweight (11.5% in caries-free children vs 25.7% in having DMFT+dft more than 4, p=0.034).

CONCLUSION

Our study showed positive impact of dental caries prevention program on the anthropometric measurements of children aged 3-6 years which increases the significance of this type of programs in pre-school institutions.

[Child's weight as a risk factor for early childhood caries]

THE AIM OF THE STUDY

Was to reveal possible correlation between child's birth weight, BMI at examination, dental caries prevalence and intensity.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The study comprised 220 healthy children aged 3-6 born mature and attending nursery schools in Khimky city (Moscow region, Russia). Data on birth weight were extracted from a healthcare reports database, current height and weight were measured and BMI was calculated and interpreted according to WHO criteria. Calibrated pediatric dentists performed oral examination registering the dmft index.

RESULTS

Children suffering from dental caries at the age of 3-6, have lower birth weight and struggle to put it on later in life. This results in higher proportion of children with underweight. Among children with caries 69.2% had BMI lower than 15^th percentile, and 28.3% had very low IMT (lower than 5^th percentile) vs 5.6% in the group without caries (p<0.05). The mechanisms and the direction of this correlation are unclear.

CONCLUSION

There is a necessity for further investigations on the role of various factors associated with body weight and alimentary status in the development of the early childhood caries.