title: Risk factors associated with deforming oral habits in children aged 5 to 11: a case-control study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Dental and maxillofacial anomalies have multiple and complex causes. Most frequent among these are poor oral habits. A large number of children present with oral malocclusions, most of which are caused by deforming oral habits. It is important to learn about risk factors for this condition in order to institute preventive measures, early detection and treatment, and identification of low- and high-risk groups.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To identify risk factors associated with deforming oral habits, which, if maintained over time, are responsible for occlusion defects, speech disorders, and can affect physical and emotional child development.
  
  
  METHODS
  A case-control study of children presenting with deforming oral habits in the municipality of Manzanillo in Granma province was conducted between January and August 2013. 540 children aged 5 to 11 were included of which 180 had deforming oral habits and were asked to fill out a survey to identify specific type of habits leading to malocclusion. The case group was composed of children with deforming habits, and the remaining 360 children without poor oral habits were the control group. Each case was randomly matched to two control cases. The children mothers were also surveyed to gather supplemental information.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Children with deforming oral habits were mostly female. At age 10, onychophagia was the predominant oral deforming habit. Risk factors detected for these habits were sociobiological maternal and child variables such as low and high birth weight, maternal breastfeeding inexperience, and discord in the family.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The study identified likely risk factors associated with deforming oral habits. These are discord in the family, birth weight, and lack of breastfeeding experience.
authors.affiliation: Facultad de Ciencias Médicas de Granma, Cuba. Avenida Camilo Cienfuegos, Esquina carretera Campechuela, Manzanillo, Granma Cuba. dromagosa@ucm.grm.sld.cu.
authors.forename: Daniel Enrique
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Reyes Romagosa
authors.affiliation: Policlínico Docente II Ángel Ortiz Vásquez, Cuba.
authors.forename: María Rosa
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Paneque Gamboa
authors.affiliation: Clínica Estomatológica Municipal Manuel Sánchez Silveira, Cuba.
authors.forename: Yamilka
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Almeida Muñiz
authors.affiliation: Policlínico Docente III René Vallejo Ortiz, Cuba.
authors.forename: Leticia María
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Quesada Oliva
authors.affiliation: Facultad de Ciencias Médicas de Granma, Cuba.
authors.forename: Damiana
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Escalona Oliva
authors.affiliation: Clínica Estomatológica Municipal Manuel Sánchez Silveira, Cuba.
authors.forename: Sonia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Torres Naranjo
mesh_terms: D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003462:Cuba / Q000453:epidemiology; D003625:Data Collection; D005260:Female; D006184:Habits; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008310:Malocclusion / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D009259:Nail Biting / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors
keywords: Factores de riesgo; hábitos bucales deformantes; niños