Feeding pattern a dual risk? otitis media (OM) and early childhood caries (ECC)

Abstract

Purpose: To determine the prevalence of Otitis media (OM) and Early childhood caries (ECC) and their coexistence in children with a history of faulty feeding patterns. Method: Children aged 5 years and below were recruited at random from dental and medical hospitals. Parents of these children were posed with questions about the feeding methods, feeding patterns such as duration, frequency, position, burping, specific childhood illness etc. Children (120) were examined for ECC by a Paedodontist and OM by an Otolaryngologist and were segregated into three groups i.e. Control group, ECC group and OM group respectively. The ECC group was sub grouped into ECC only and ECC&OM group. The OM group was also similarly sub grouped into OM group and OM&ECC group. Collected data were tabulated and subjected for statistical analysis using Pearson Chi – square test. Results: Prevalence of ECC, OM, and their coexistence increased with age P < 0.001, whereas gender difference was not statistically significant. Overall Prevalence of their coexistence in children was 51.25%. Significant percentages (25%) of children in the OM group were fed in supine position. Children fed on demand (47.5%) experienced ECC. overall 85% (p=.017) of children had coexistence of ECC&OM fed on demand and during bed time. Significant numbers of children who were burped occasionally after feeding (35%) or were not burped at all (12.5%) were affected with both ECC and OM. Conclusion: Prevalence of their coexistence was higher in children with OM. Significant association existed between on demand feeding and ECC; supine feeding position and OM. Risk factors in common for both the disease were combined feeding position, on demand, bed time feeding and occasionally burping.

Keywords

• Early childhood caries
• Otitis media
• feeding methods
• feeding patterns
• ear infection
• breast feeding
• bottle feeding
• sucking
• dental caries