Feeding and socioeconomic characteristics of nursing caries in children in a Saudi population.

Abstract

Nursing caries is a frustrating condition that is difficult to treat in infants and very young children. It may retard the child’s health, development, and speech. It can be painful, is infectious, and results in impairment of nutrition and esthetics with accompanying psychological problems. The risk factors for nursing caries vary from population to population, and some additional factors may be present in a population due the sociocultural differences in different geographical locations. The aim of this investigation was to study characteristics of nursing caries children in central Saudi Arabia by obtaining information about their socioeconomic status, feeding practices, use of sweetened pacifiers, and other relevant informationmentioned in the literature by various researchers by using a self-administered questionnaire. Such a profile may help identify high-risk groups, which in turn may help target preventive measures to children at high risk for nursing caries. (Pediatr Dent. 1995;17:451-454)