[Study on factors for caries and infant feeding characteristics in children aged 1.5-3 years in a Kanto urban area].
OBJECTIVE
Generally, the incidence of caries in infants is decreasing, but the volume for children age 3 at Nakahara Ward in Kawasaki City is nearly 5 times higher than that of children at one year and 6 months of age (age 1.5). Here, we investigated the risk factors for cariogenesis during the period from age 1.5 till age 3, focusing on the household environment, lifestyle, diary habits and dental hygiene behavior.


METHODS
A total of 491 children who had no caries at periodical health check at age 1.5 were chosen as subjects from those undergoing health check at our Public Health Center. The health check data at ages 1.5 and age 3 along with findings from the questionnaire survey at age 3 were analyzed by with reference to the presence or absence of caries in children at age 3. Odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals (CI95) were first estimated for each risk factor to identify those highly correlated to cariogenesis. Then, logistic regression analysis was performed after adjustment for mutual correlation among the factors.


RESULTS
The risk factors significantly correlated to cariogenesis during ages 1.5-3 were maternal feeding at age 1.5 (Odds ratio: 2.80, CI95: 1.42-5.57) and sweet intake of sweets 3 times or more everyday at age 3 (Odds ratio: 2.07, CI95: 1.24-3.43). Moreover, the lack of nightly teethbrushing by parents appeared linked with cariogenesis, (Odds ratio: 1.68, CI95: 0.90-3.14), albeit without statistical significance.


CONCLUSIONS
The present results indicate that caries is likely to be increased when maternal feeding is prolonged to age 1.5 and by consumption of sweets more than 3 times a day at age 3.
District Health and Welfare Section, Kawasaki-City Nakahara Health and Welfare Center.
Kyoko
K
Mizoguchi
Katsumaro
K
Kurumado
Toshiro
T
Tango
Masumi
M
Minowa
D001942:Breast Feeding / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D004032:Diet; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007564:Japan / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012307:Risk Factors