Maternal Oral Health Indicators and Gastroenteritis-Related Hospitalization Among Children Under Four Years: An Exploratory Case-Control Study

Background: Maternal oral health literacy (OHL) and oral health status may reflect broader health-related behaviors that influence child health outcomes. This study aimed to investigate the association between maternal OHL, dental status (DMFT index), and hospitalizations related to gastroenteritis among children under four years of age.Methods: This case-control study included ۱۲۰ mother-child dyads recruited in ۲۰۲۴ from primary health centers and a pediatric hospital in Ardabil, Iran. The case group included ۶۰ mothers of children hospitalized with acute gastroenteritis, while the control group included ۶۰ mothers of children with no documented history of gastroenteritis-related hospitalization. Maternal OHL was assessed using a validated questionnaire, and oral health status was evaluated using the Decayed, Missing, and Filled Teeth (DMFT) index. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was conducted to identify independent predictors of pediatric gastroenteritis.Results: Overall maternal OHL was significantly lower in the case group (۹.۲۰ ± ۲.۷۷ vs. ۱۰.۵۸ ± ۴.۰۹, P = ۰.۰۳۲), with the largest difference observed in the decision-making domain (۲.۴۲ ± ۱.۲۸ vs. ۳.۲۸ ± ۱.۴۵, P = ۰.۰۰۱). Higher maternal DMFT scores were independently associated with increased odds of gastroenteritis-related hospitalization (adjusted OR = ۱.۱۸, ۹۵% CI: ۱.۰۵–۱.۳۲; P = ۰.۰۰۶), whereas higher decision-making scores were associated with lower odds (adjusted OR = ۰.۵۱, ۹۵% CI: ۰.۳۴–۰.۷۷; P = ۰.۰۰۱). Conversely, higher numeracy scores were associated with increased odds of hospitalization (adjusted OR = ۱.۸۶, ۹۵% CI: ۱.۱۵–۳.۰۲; P = ۰.۰۱۱).Conclusion: Lower maternal oral health literacy, particularly poorer decision-making skills, and higher maternal DMFT scores were independently associated with gastroenteritis-related hospitalizations in children. These findings indicate associations rather than causality. Prospective studies are needed to confirm these findings.

کلیدواژه ها:

dmft ، Gastroenteritis ، Literacy ، mothers ، Oral Health ، Pediatric