[Child's weight as a risk factor for early childhood caries].

THE AIM OF THE STUDY: Was to reveal possible correlation between child's birth weight, BMI at examination, dental caries prevalence and intensity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study comprised 220 healthy children aged 3-6 born mature and attending nursery schools in Khimky city (Moscow region, Russia). Data on birth weight were extracted from a healthcare reports database, current height and weight were measured and BMI was calculated and interpreted according to WHO criteria. Calibrated pediatric dentists performed oral examination registering the dmft index. RESULTS: Children suffering from dental caries at the age of 3-6, have lower birth weight and struggle to put it on later in life. This results in higher proportion of children with underweight. Among children with caries 69.2% had BMI lower than 15(th) percentile, and 28.3% had very low IMT (lower than 5(th) percentile) vs 5.6% in the group without caries (p<0.05). The mechanisms and the direction of this correlation are unclear. CONCLUSION: There is a necessity for further investigations on the role of various factors associated with body weight and alimentary status in the development of the early childhood caries.