Dieta cariogénica en niños de 10 a 48 meses del “Centro de Cuidado Infantil Perpetuo Socorro”

Abstract

Risk factors associated with dental caries that occur at an early age have a predictive value in preventing this illness. The causative bacteria (Streptococcus mutans), use cariogenic carbohydrates for its growth. Among these risk factors are: consistency, frequency of consumption and cariogenic potential value (CPV).

A study was performed on “Centro de Cuidado Infantil Perpetuo Socorro“ in the city of Cuenca, with a population of 150 children that ranged in age from 10 months old to 48 months old which were divided into three groups (G1, G2, G3). Data was gathered in on two different days: one day within the week and other during the weekend. The study was conducted between May and December of 2013. Questionnaires were given to the parents and data was also collected from the menu of daycare. Data was entered into Lucille food intake software® and statistical analysis was done using Stata 13.0 software (Stata Corporation, College Station, TX).

Cariogenic carbohydrate consumption showed a significant difference between age groups (P=0.02) and between days (P=0.01). Consumption frequency of sugary mass two or more times a day did not show a significant difference between age groups (P=0.705) or between days (P=0.08). Finally, CPV did not show any significant statistical difference between age groups (P=0.496); however, there was a difference between days (P=0.019). Consumption of low consistency food was minimum so the cariogenic potential was dismissed