ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: For caries risk assessment (CRA) tools for young children to be evidence-based, it is important to systematically review the literature to identify factors associated with the onset of early childhood caries (ECC). AIM: This updated systematic review aimed to identify current evidence on caries risk in young children. DESIGN: A comprehensive and systematic literature search of relevant databases was conducted to update a previous systematic review and identify risk factors associated with ECC. Potential risk factors were identified based on strength of association using odds ratios, hazard ratios, relative risk, etc. GRADE was used for rating quality evidence through consensus. RESULTS: Twenty-two studies met inclusion criteria for the search from mid-2017 to 2021. Twenty-five publications from the prior systematic review, from 1997 to mid-2017, were also included. Several socioeconomic, behavioral, and clinical variables were identified as ECC risk factors. Factors included the following: age, socioeconomic status, frequency of and supervised toothbrushing, fluoride exposure, breast- and bottle-feeding, feeding habits, absence of a dental home, past caries experience, active non-cavitated lesions, visible plaque, enamel defects, and microbiome. CONCLUSION: This study provides updated evidence of risk factors for ECC that could be included in CRA tools.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: To compare the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)-related hospitalization rate, hospital length of stay (LOS), and need for assisted ventilation in children aged <2 years with Down syndrome and those without Down syndrome. STUDY DESIGN: MEDLINE, Embase, and CINAHL databases were searched from inception up to December 2017. Studies that provided data on RSV-related hospitalization in children aged <2 years with Down syndrome and those without Down syndrome were included. Data were independently extracted in pairs by 2 reviewers and synthesized with random-effects meta-analysis. RESULTS: In 10 studies including a total of 1 748 209 children, 12.6% of the children with Down syndrome (491 of 3882) were hospitalized with RSV infection. The presence of Down syndrome was associated with a significantly higher risk of RSV-related hospitalization (relative risk [RR], 6.06; 95% CI, 4.93-7.45; I2 = 65%; Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation [GRADE], moderate). RSV-related LOS (mean difference, 2.11 days; 95% CI, 1.47-2.75 days; I2 = 0%; GRADE, low), and the need for assisted ventilation (RR, 5.82; 95% CI, 1.81-18.69; I2 = 84%; GRADE, low). Children with Down syndrome without congenital heart disease (RR, 6.31; 95% CI, 4.83-8.23; GRADE, moderate) also had a significantly higher risk of RSV-related hospitalization. The risk of RSV-related hospitalization remained significant in the subgroup of children aged <1 year (RR, 6.25; 95% CI, 4.71-8.28; GRADE, high). CONCLUSION: RSV-related hospitalization, hospital LOS, and the need for assisted ventilation are significantly higher in children with Down syndrome aged <2 years compared with those without Down syndrome. The results should prompt reconsideration of the need for routine RSV prophylaxis in children with Down syndrome up to 2 years of age.
