PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to analyze the association between the feeding practice and presence or absence of SECC (Severe Early Childhood Caries) in Brazilian preschool children. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted with male and female preschool children, aged 36 to 71 months, randomly selected from a low-income population. A 24-hour recall diary was used to assess data about infant feeding practices and dietary habits. The data were statistically analyzed using the chi-square test with a significance level of 5%. RESULTS: SECC was observed in 36% of the children examined. Infant feeding practices showed the association between SECC and night-time breast-feeding (P = .02) or breast-feeding (P = .0004) in children older than 12 months of age. The use of a bottle at night as a substitute for the pacifier and its use on demand during the day were also correlated with SECC (P < .0001). CONCLUSIONS: It was concluded that night-time breast-feeding in children older than 12 months of age, the use of a bottle at night as a substitute for the pacifier, and use of the bottle on demand during the day are feeding practices correlated with the etiology of SECC.
PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to analyze the association between the feeding practice and presence or absence of SECC (Severe Early Childhood Caries) in Brazilian preschool children. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted with male and female preschool children, aged 36 to 71 months, randomly selected from a low-income population. A 24-hour recall diary was used to assess data about infant feeding practices and dietary habits. The data were statistically analyzed using the chi-square test with a significance level of 5%. RESULTS: SECC was observed in 36% of the children examined. Infant feeding practices showed the association between SECC and night-time breast-feeding (P = .02) or breast-feeding (P = .0004) in children older than 12 months of age. The use of a bottle at night as a substitute for the pacifier and its use on demand during the day were also correlated with SECC (P < .0001). CONCLUSIONS: It was concluded that night-time breast-feeding in children older than 12 months of age, the use of a bottle at night as a substitute for the pacifier, and use of the bottle on demand during the day are feeding practices correlated with the etiology of SECC.
Authors: A C R Tanner; J M J Mathney; R L Kent; N I Chalmers; C V Hughes; C Y Loo; N Pradhan; E Kanasi; J Hwang; M A Dahlan; E Papadopolou; F E Dewhirst Journal: J Clin Microbiol Date: 2011-02-02 Impact factor: 5.948