Risk Factors of Early Childhood Caries

Early childhood caries (ECC) is a major health concern that continues to negatively affect the oral health of infants and children today. The aim of this study was to explore the association of ECC with maternal factors. This cross-sectional study was conducted for a period of six months, among the preschool children in Tirana district. Prior permission was obtained from the parents. In our study the prevalence of caries was higher among children whose mothers have a low education level (OR=5.3 95 %CI 1.95-14.55 pless than0.01), a low socioeconomic status (OR=4.2 95 %CI1.73-10.3 pless than0.01), primipara (OR=4.0 95 %CI 2.25-7.19 pless than0.01) illnesses (OR=5.3 95 %CI 2.56-11.18 pless than0.01), undernourished (OR=8.5 95 %CI 1.38-11.54) and lack of vitamin D (OR=2.5 95 %CI 1.32-3.41). the prevalence of caries was higher among children whose mothers had a cesarean birth (OR=2.1 95 %CI1.18-3.64 p=0.01), and among children that were breastfed for a period less than 3 months (OR=4.4 95 %CI 1.86-10.57 pless than0.01).