A retrospective cohort study on the association between mothers' prolonged internet usage and severe early childhood caries in their children.

OBJECTIVES

Severe early childhood caries (S-ECC) is a child health challenge associated with neglect and represents a public health concern that can impact development and future lifestyle-related diseases. Despite its significance, studies identifying its associated factors have been scarce in developed countries. The aim of this study was to clarify the association between mothers' prolonged Internet usage when their children are 1.5 years old and S-ECC at 3 years old.

METHODS

We included mothers who had notified Matsue City of their pregnancies during the 18-month period from April 2016 to September 2017, and their children. The data provided by the city were 2,465 records, with a follow-up rate of 82.5% from pregnancy notification to child health examination at Age 3. Excluding cases lacking information or indications of the presence of dental caries at Age 1.5, we analyzed 1,938 records. We performed logistic regression analysis, with S-ECC as the dependent variable and the mother's Internet usage time at Age 1.5 as the independent variable, while including parental toothbrushing supervision and other factors as covariates.

RESULTS

The mother's daily Internet usage time at Age 1.5 was more than 5 h in 2.0%. Children classified as having S-ECC at Age 3 accounted for 2.6%. We found a significant association between mothers' Internet usage time at Age 1.5 and S-ECC in their children at Age 3 when the daily Internet usage time was 5 h or longer (adjusted odds ratio = 4.27 [95% CI: 1.42-12.86]).

CONCLUSIONS

These findings suggest that Internet usage for 5 h or longer/day by mothers is associated with an increased likelihood of S-ECC in their children.