Bakytbekovna Abdukalikova Delmira, Erkibayeva Zhamilya U, Yermukhanova Gulzhan T, Yakubova Inessa, Tsypan Serhii, Ryskulova Alma-Gul R, Talekar Abhinav
Department of Public Health and Social Sciences, Kazakhstan School of Public Health, Kazakhstan's Medical University, Almaty, Kazakhstan.
Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Kazakh National Medical University named after S.D. Asfendiyarov, Almaty, Kazakhstan.
J Int Soc Prev Community Dent. 2025 Jun 30;15(3):247-256. doi: 10.4103/jispcd.jispcd_91_24. eCollection 2025 May-Jun.
The prevalence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and early childhood caries (ECC) is increasing globally. The association between ASD and ECC remains unclear. This study aimed to evaluate risk factors for ECC in children with ASD in Kazakhstan and Ukraine.
This multi-center observational study included 190 children aged 5-6 years (125 with ASD and 65 without ASD) from Kazakhstan ( = 98) and Ukraine ( = 92). Data on oral hygiene practices, dietary habits, and oral fluid pH were collected through parental surveys and clinical examinations. Oral hygiene was assessed using a modified plaque index (Kazakhstan) and the Fedorov-Volodkina index (Ukraine). Statistical analysis included the average values of quantitative data, and the Student test was calculated. Mixed-effects analysis of variance was used for intergroup and intragroup comparison of the results of the quality of hygiene in children 5-6 years.
In Kazakhstan, only 16.07% of children with ASD brushed their teeth twice daily, compared to 33.33% in Ukraine. Mean plaque index scores indicated poor oral hygiene in children with ASD in both Kazakhstan (2.6 ± 0.14) and Ukraine (2.70 ± 0.13). Oral fluid pH was significantly lower (more acidic) in children with ASD in both Kazakhstan (5.53 ± 0.07) and Ukraine (5.96 ± 0.07) compared with controls. The dietary habits observed slow eating patterns in the ASD group from the range of 8.70-25%.
Children with ASD in both Kazakhstan and Ukraine exhibit a higher risk for ECC, which is associated with poor oral hygiene practices and acidic oral pH. These findings highlight the need for targeted oral health interventions and guidelines for children with ASD, irrespective of geographic location.
全球范围内，自闭症谱系障碍（ASD）和幼儿龋齿（ECC）的患病率都在上升。ASD与ECC之间的关联仍不明确。本研究旨在评估哈萨克斯坦和乌克兰ASD儿童患ECC的风险因素。
这项多中心观察性研究纳入了来自哈萨克斯坦（n = 98）和乌克兰（n = 92）的190名5 - 6岁儿童（125名患有ASD，65名未患ASD）。通过家长调查和临床检查收集口腔卫生习惯、饮食习惯和口腔液体pH值的数据。使用改良菌斑指数（哈萨克斯坦）和费多罗夫 - 沃洛金娜指数（乌克兰）评估口腔卫生状况。统计分析包括定量数据的平均值，并计算学生t检验。采用混合效应方差分析对5 - 6岁儿童口腔卫生质量结果进行组间和组内比较。
在哈萨克斯坦，只有16.07%的ASD儿童每天刷牙两次，而在乌克兰这一比例为33.33%。平均菌斑指数得分表明，哈萨克斯坦（2.6 ± 0.14）和乌克兰（2.70 ± 0.13）的ASD儿童口腔卫生状况较差。与对照组相比，哈萨克斯坦（5.53 ± 0.07）和乌克兰（5.96 ± 0.07）的ASD儿童口腔液体pH值显著更低（更酸）。观察到ASD组的饮食习惯中，进食速度慢的比例在8.70 - 25%之间。
哈萨克斯坦和乌克兰的ASD儿童患ECC的风险更高，这与不良的口腔卫生习惯和口腔酸性pH值有关。这些发现凸显了针对ASD儿童制定有针对性的口腔健康干预措施和指南的必要性，无论地理位置如何。
