Associations Between Non-nutritive Sucking Habits, Developing Malocclusion and Various Feeding Practices in 3-6-year-old Indian Urban Children: a Case- Control Study

Abstract

Abstract Background: Nutritive sucking and non-nutritive sucking (NNS) may affect the craniofacial development, differently. Aim and objectives: We investigated associations between non-nutritive sucking habits (NNSH), developing malocclusion and various feeding practices in 3-6-year-old children. Study design: A sample of 350 children of 3-6-year-old from various preschools was selected for this case-control study (94 with NNSH and 256 without NNSH). NNSH (outcome) and feeding practices and developing malocclusions (exposures) were assessed using a structured study tool. Results: The prevalence of NNSH in 3-6- year-old children was 26.8%. The odds [95% (CI)] of boys compared to girls having NNSH were 0.66 (0.4121 to 1.706) [p=.0290]. The overall prevalence of developing malocclusion in 3-6-year-old children was 34.01% out of which open bite was most commonly reported with 12.57% followed by spacing 8.5%, increased overjet 6.8%, crowding 2.2%, posterior crossbite and rotation 1.4% and overbite 1.14%. Breastfeeding was found to be the most commonly used mode of feeding reported by 53.42% of mothers. It was found that the odds [95% (CI)] of subjects having NNSH were 0.66 [0.4694 to 0.9460] (p <.0001) who were not breastfed as compared to those who were breastfed. Amongst developing malocclusions, increased overjet with p =.0019, open bite with p =.0416 and spacing with p =.0243 were found to be associated with feeding practices. Conclusion: To conclude, the prevalence of NNSH and developing malocclusions (increased overjet, open bite and spacing) were 26.8% and 34.01% respectively. Breastfeeding played a protective role against developing NNSH.