Prolonged pacifier usage in infancy does not cause eating behavior problem later.

The objective of this study conducted in children aged 3-7 years was to determine whether pacifier use during infancy is associated with eating problems in later periods. A total of 85 children (55.2 ±12.3 months) admitted to hospital with eating problems and with no organic pathology in scans, and 97 healthy children (52.24±10.97 months) without eating problems, were assigned to case and control groups, respectively. Eating problems were classified into five groups and investigated via a questionnaire. The presence of eating problems was analyzed for association with pacifier use. There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of pacifier use (chi-square test: 0.141, p=0.707), and pacifier use is not related to a poor appetite in later periods. Pediatric healthcare providers and parents should be informed with regard to the subject.