Document Type

Article

Publication Date

1-2017

Abstract

Background: Early childhood caries is etiologically associated with bacterial colonization. Streptococcus mutans (S.mutans) have been related to dental cariesbased on well-defined cariogenicity. A body of evidence suggests that children acquire S. mutans primarily from their mothers. It was also suggested that mode of child delivery can lead to differences in the initial foundation of oral microbiota.

Purpose: To assess the acquisition of S.mutans and Streptococcus mitis (S. mitis) in a group of Egyptian infants in relation to mode of child delivery and maternal salivary bacterial counts and caries index scores.

Subjects and Methods:A total of 50 mothers and their infants were recruited in this study to assess the acquisition of S. mutans and S.mitisin relation to mode of child delivery, maternal salivary bacterial counts and DMFT scores.

Results: Acquisition of S. mutans was significantly higher in cesarean-section (C- section) group compared to vaginally delivered group at 3 months. S. mitis was found in all children at 3 and 6 months regardless the mode of child delivery. A highly significant direct correlation between infants’ S. mutans counts at 3 & 6 months and maternal DMFT mean scores, as well as maternal S.mutans counts was found. While, there was a highly significant inverse correlation between infants’ S. mutans counts at 3 & 6 months and maternal S. mitis mean counts. Also, there was a highly significant inverse correlation between infants’ S. mitis mean counts at 3 & 6 months and maternal DMFT mean scoresand maternal S. mutans mean counts. While, there was a highly significant direct correlation between infants’ S. mitis at 3 & 6 months and maternal S.mitis mean counts.

Conclusions: C- section delivered infants had earlier acquisition and higher counts of S. mutans. S. mitis was found in all investigated infants as early as 3 months of age.Early S. mutans acquisition in infants was detected in infants whose mothers had high maternal S. mutans and low S. mitis counts and high DMFT scores.

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