Impact of ECC on physical growth among 9-24-months-old children

Objectives: To examine an effect of ECC from 9 to 24 months on subsequent physical growth. Methods: A longitudinal study of 606 children was carried out from aged 9 to 24 months in Songkhla, Thailand. The first children's dental examination was at 9 months and re-examination at 12, 18 and 24 months. The incidence of ECC was described as crude caries increment (CCI) from 9 to 12 months, from 12 to 18 months and from 18 to 24 months. The education of the mother and income was collected. Both weight and height was measured at the ages of 0, 6, 12, 18 and 24 months using a calibrated scale. Results: The mean weight from birth to 24 months which had measured every 6 months was 3.1±0.5, 7.2±0.9, 8.6±1.0, 9.6±1.2 and 10.7±1.5 kg, respectively, whereas the average height during the same period was 49.6±2.6, 65.6±2.5, 72.8±2.7, 78.0±3.1 and 82.4±3.2 cm, respectively. Boys were significantly heavier and taller than girls in all ages (p<0.01). Children with severe ECC gained weight and height lesser than those who did not (p<0.05). The logistic regression shows that children with CCI≥ 0 were 1.8-2.6 times lesser weight-gain than those who were CCI= 0. The only significant factor that influenced on the weight-gain from 18 to 24 months was CCI≥ 5 surfaces. Regarding height, education of the mothers was the only risk factor of getting lesser height-gain from 12 to 18 months and from 18 to 24 months given the OR= 1.55: 95%CI= 1.02-3.36 and OR= 1.58:95%CI= 1.01-2.59, respectively. Conclusion: ECC is of important risk factor of physical growth early in life. Preventing of ECC and giving of adequate quality food required for the children should be intervened soon after birth.