Journal article

Breastfeeding and the risk of dental caries: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Acta paediatrica (Oslo, Norway : 1992) | Published : 2015

Open access

Abstract

©2015 The Authors. Acta Paediatrica published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Foundation Acta Paediatrica. AIM: To synthesise the current evidence for the associations between breastfeeding and dental caries, with respect to specific windows of early childhood caries risk. METHODS: Systematic review, meta-analyses and narrative synthesis following searches of PubMed, CINAHL and EMBASE databases. RESULTS: Sixty-three papers included. Children exposed to longer versus shorter duration of breastfeeding up to age 12 months (more versus less breastfeeding), had a reduced risk of caries (OR 0.50; 95%CI 0.25, 0.99, I(2) 86.8%). Children breastfed > 12 months had an increased risk of caries..

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