Perinatal risk factors of the early childhood caries

Abstract

Of the study was to find possible correlations between early childhood caries (ECC) prevalence and intensity and perinatal factors, such as pregnancy and birth adverse events, terms and mode of delivery, child's weight at birth. The study comprised 165 3-6 years old healthy children (80 boys and 85 girls) examined in Khimki nurseries. Perinatal background data were collected through validated questionnaires. ECC prevalence and dmft median were 41.2% and 1.2 teeth, correspondingly, in 3-years-olds and values growth up to 64.8% and 3.5 teeth was seen in 6-years-olds. Exact Fisher test showed significant positive correlation between adverse pregnancy events and caries risk, as ECC had 8.6 and 51.7% of children born from complicated and non-complicated pregnancies, correspondingly (p<0.05). In children born by cesarean section ECC was detected more often, than in born via vaginal delivery (62.8 vs 49.6%, correspondingly). The correlation became statistically significant by the age of 6 (p=0.02). In 6-years-olds we also noted significant correlation between mode of delivery and dmft numbers (p<0.05). Adverse pregnancy events and cesarean section are ECC risk factor affecting the intensity of the disease.