文本框: DENTAL CARIES AND CHILDREN HEALTH M.Krauca, I.Sapele, S.Bace, E.Biķis1 Children health Center “Ķengarags”, Riga, Latvia Faculty of Medicine, University of Latvia Objective: The aim of study was to investigate dental caries level in different children groups. We studied dental caries – index, patients and family history including perinatal period, brestfeeding, and diseases expression. Methods: Epidemiological, statistical methods were used. The data about 1400 children were taken from children medical records. The variables (brestfeeding, artificial feeding, upper respiratory tract infections, food allergy, atopic dermatitis, dental caries index) were analized. Results: 75 (5,4%) caries free children out of 1400 total children number were detected. Risk factors for diseases development were detected in both (caries positive) and caries free) children groups without significant difference. In caries positive children group prevalence of upper respiratory tract diseases were 3 times higher comparing to caries free children (p< 0,05). Bresfeeding level (first 3 mon of life) was defected 3 times higher in caries free group. In brestfeeded children we observed more often atopic and allergic diseases, in arteficially feeding group - infections and dental caries. Conclusion: 1. Formula feeding is a risk factor for caries development in children. Intensive dental hygiene should be provided in artificially feeded children. 2. Expression of allergic and atopic diseases in brestfeeded children could be explained with environmental factors, like pollution. 1967