RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN MOTHER-INFANT SLEEPING ARRANGEMENTS AND DEVELOPMENT OF MALOCCLUSION AMONG CHILDREN: AN ANALYTICAL CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

• Oommen Nainan*

Abstract

Aim & Background: There is limited information about the different mother-infant sleeping arrangements in India and its relationship to the development of malocclusion. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prevalent mother-child sleeping arrangements in a cosmopolitan city of India and investigate whether any specific type of sleeping arrangement is associated with higher prevalence of malocclusion. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out on 2150 children aged 2-6 years. Their parents completed a questionnaire about co-sleeping, sucking, and breastfeeding habits. This was followed up by a dental examination in children to evaluate presence of malocclusion according to the Baby‑Risk of Malocclusion Assessment (ROMA) Index. Results: Three types of sleeping arrangements were observed. Practicing co-sleeping for > 18 months from birth of an infant is associated with lower risk of development of malocclusion. Children who co-slept for 18 months or less had an increased incidence of non -nutritive sucking habits like pacifier use, finger sucking and atypical swallowing, had higher Baby ROMA scores (P < 0.01) and presence of at least one type of malocclusion. Conclusion: Children co-sleeping with their mothers in the same bed for more than 18 months are observed to have fewer negative sucking habits, and a decreased incidence of malocclusion when compared to children who slept alone in a different room.

Keywords

co-sleeping, solitary sleeping, malocclusion, non-nutritive sucking habits, pacifier use, preventive Orthodontics, mother-child dyad,cross-sectional study