Vadiakas G, Oulis C, Berdouses E
Department of Pediatric Dentistry, University of Athens, Greece.
J Clin Pediatr Dent. 1998 Winter;22(2):133-6.
Although a number of investigators have studied the prevalence and etiology of non-nutritive sucking habits in children, no consensus exists among dental and medical experts in respect to the contributing factors and preventing behaviors. Furthermore, changes in the rearing practices of children make management of such habits even more complicated. The purpose of the present study was to investigate finger and pacifier sucking habits among pre-school children, and its possible relationship to nursing behavior. Parental attitudes towards sucking habits were also registered. Questionnaires were sent to parents of 600 children, three to five years old, following an oral examination in a private office. Children attended kindergartens that were randomly selected from the area of Athens, Greece. Questions regarding the nursing patterns-breast or bottle feeding-characteristics of finger and pacifier sucking habits, parental attitudes towards sucking habits, as well as recommendations of the pediatricians were included. Three hundred and sixteen questionnaires were returned by parents. Results indicated that pre-school children discontinued a pacifier sucking habit earlier compared to a finger habit. Pacifiers showed a preventive effect against finger sucking, since only 2% of the sample examined practiced both habits. Breast feeding was not clearly associated with sucking habits; however, long bottle feeding periods were related with decreased finger sucking and high figures of pacifier sucking. The majority of pediatricians were not in favor of an intervention in breaking a finger sucking habit of the child.
尽管许多研究人员已经对儿童非营养性吮吸习惯的患病率和病因进行了研究，但牙科和医学专家在促成因素和预防行为方面尚未达成共识。此外，儿童抚养方式的变化使得管理这些习惯变得更加复杂。本研究的目的是调查学龄前儿童的吮指和使用安抚奶嘴习惯，以及其与喂养行为的可能关系。还记录了父母对吮吸习惯的态度。在一家私人诊所进行口腔检查后，向600名3至5岁儿童的家长发放了问卷。这些儿童就读于从希腊雅典地区随机挑选的幼儿园。问卷内容包括喂养方式（母乳喂养或奶瓶喂养）、吮指和使用安抚奶嘴习惯的特点、父母对吮吸习惯的态度以及儿科医生的建议。家长们共返回了316份问卷。结果表明，学龄前儿童停止使用安抚奶嘴的习惯比停止吮指习惯更早。安抚奶嘴对吮指有预防作用，因为在所检查的样本中只有2%的儿童同时有这两种习惯。母乳喂养与吮吸习惯没有明显关联；然而，长时间奶瓶喂养与吮指减少和使用安抚奶嘴的比例较高有关。大多数儿科医生不赞成对儿童的吮指习惯进行干预。
