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Comparative Study | Dentistry | Volume 15 Issue 6, June 2026 | Pages: 858 - 862 | India
Comparative Evaluation of Association Between Dietary Patterns and Early Childhood Caries Among Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Cerebral Palsy: A Cross-Sectional Study
Abstract: Purpose: Early Childhood Caries (ECC) poses a significant oral health challenge among children with special health care needs, particularly those with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Cerebral Palsy (CP). This study aimed to evaluate and compare the association between dietary patterns and the prevalence of ECC in children with ASD and CP aged 3?6 years. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 18 children (9 per group) aged 3?6 years diagnosed with ASD or CP, attending early intervention centres in Dakshina Kannada district, Karnataka. A validated 15-item self-structured questionnaire assessed dietary patterns and oral hygiene habits. Caries experience was recorded using the dmfs index. Statistical analyses included unpaired t-test, Fisher's exact test, and Spearman's correlation (SPSS). A p-value <0.05 was considered significant. Results: Caries prevalence was high in both groups (ASD: 88.9%; CP: 100%). Mean dmfs scores were 11.55±8.66 and 14.33±9.16, respectively (p=0.518). Significant intergroup differences were observed in type of feeding (p=0.002), swallowing difficulty (p=0.029), diet consistency (p=0.011), and presence of oromotor dysfunction (p<0.001). In the ASD group, food pouching (r=0.904, p=0.001) and diet consistency (r=-0.866, p=0.003) were strongly correlated with dmfs scores. In the CP group, food pouching (r=0.935, p<0.001) and brushing frequency (r=-0.722, p=0.028) showed significant associations. Conclusions: Although ECC prevalence was similarly elevated in both groups, dietary and feeding profiles differed significantly. Food pouching was a critical shared caries risk factor. Condition-specific preventive strategies and caregiver counselling are essential to improve oral health outcomes in children with ASD and CP.
Keywords: Autism Spectrum Disorder, Cerebral Palsy, Dietary Patterns, dmfs index, Early Childhood Caries, Food Pouching, Special Health Care Needs
How to Cite?: Dr. Savitha Sathyaprasad, Dr. Roshna SJ, "Comparative Evaluation of Association Between Dietary Patterns and Early Childhood Caries Among Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Cerebral Palsy: A Cross-Sectional Study", Volume 15 Issue 6, June 2026, International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR), Pages: 858-862, https://www.ijsr.net/getabstract.php?paperid=SR26616152853, DOI: https://dx.dx.doi.org/10.21275/SR26616152853