RELATIONSHIP OF EARLY CHILDHOOD CARIES AND BODY MASS INDEX IN CHILDREN ATTENDING A TERTIARY HEALTH CARE CENTER OF NEPAL

Dr Sumita Upadhyay; Dr Ritesh Srii; Dr Shatakshi Srivastava; Dr Saujanya Karki

Volume : V, Issue : XII, December - 2016

RELATIONSHIP OF EARLY CHILDHOOD CARIES AND BODY MASS INDEX IN CHILDREN ATTENDING A TERTIARY HEALTH CARE CENTER OF NEPAL

Dr Sumita Upadhyay, Dr Ritesh Srii, Dr Shatakshi Srivastava, Dr Saujanya Karki

Abstract :

Introduction: Relationship of early childhood caries (ECC) and nutritional status is controversial. To our knowledge there are no previous studies exploring the relationship between nutritional status and early childhood caries in Nepalese children. Materials and Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted in 208 children of age 3 years to 6 years visiting pediatric dentistry department of Dhulikhel Hospital. Age of each child was recorded along with anthropometric measurements. Oral examination was carried out to record dmft. Results: ?e mean dmft was 7.03 � 4.25. Only 2 (1%) children had body mass index (BMI) deficiency. Maximum number of children 172 (82.7%) had normal weight. 26 (12.5%) were overweight and only 8 (3.8%) were obese. ?ere was no statistically significant association of BMI with dmft (p=0.612) or pulp involvement (p=0.540). Conclusion: ECC was not associated with BM