Exploring the link between early childhood caries and feeding practices among children in Lucknow

Aim & Background: Limited data exists on infant feeding practices and the prevalence of Early Childhood Caries (ECC) in the Lucknow district of Uttar Pradesh, India. This study aimed to explore the relationship between feeding practices and the occurrence of ECC in preschool children. Materials and Methods: Children aged 24 to 71 months were screened for caries, and based on the presence or absence of caries, they were categorized into ECC and non-ECC groups. Feeding practices, food frequency, and dietary sugar intake were assessed through a parent-completed questionnaire. Results: The average duration of exclusive breastfeeding was significantly longer in the ECC group (13.49±8.59 months) compared to the non-ECC group (10.47±4.23 months) (p=0.007). A higher percentage of parents in the ECC group (94.6%) fed their children at sleep times, including naps, compared to 28.0% in the non-ECC group. Both groups combined breastfeeding with solid/semi-solid foods, feeding both day and night. However, 94.6% of parents in the ECC group put their children to sleep while breastfeeding, compared to 50.7% in the non-ECC group (p<0.001). The average duration of bottle feeding was significantly longer in the ECC group (27.13±12.39 months) than in the non-ECC group (19.27±6.66 months) (p=0.001). Additionally, 94.1% of parents in the ECC group fed their children at bedtime, compared to only 14.3% in the non-ECC group. Most parents in the ECC group (66.7%) added sweeteners to milk, compared to 16.1% in the non-ECC group. Conclusion: Prolonged breastfeeding beyond 12 months and feeding at all bedtimes, including naps, were significantly associated with ECC. Prolonged and frequent bottle feeding with added sugars was also positively correlated with ECC in children in Lucknow.