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Influence of Maternal Prenatal Vitamin D Status on Infant Oral Health

Influence of Maternal Prenatal Vitamin D Status on Infant Oral Health

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Table 2.2 – Recognized case definiti<strong>on</strong>s for ECC and S-ECC 8,11<br />

Age (m<strong>on</strong>ths) ECC S-ECC<br />

< 12 1 or more teeth 1 or more smooth dmf surfaces<br />

12-23 1 or more teeth 1 or more smooth dmf surfaces<br />

24-35 1 or more teeth 1 or more smooth dmf surfaces<br />

36-47 1 or more teeth dmfs score ≥ 4 OR 1 or more<br />

smooth dmf surfaces in the primary<br />

maxillary anteriors<br />

48-59 1 or more teeth dmfs score ≥ 5 OR 1 or more<br />

smooth dmf surfaces in the primary<br />

maxillary anteriors<br />

60-71 1 or more teeth dmfs score ≥ 6 OR 1 or more<br />

smooth dmf surfaces in the primary<br />

maxillary anteriors<br />

dmfs=decayed, missing, filled surfaces in primary teeth<br />

A prospective cohort study design was selected. This allowed the natural<br />

progressi<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>of</str<strong>on</strong>g> outcome to be observed, a useful approach when the exposure is not<br />

comm<strong>on</strong>. This was beneficial, as serum 25(OH)D status was c<strong>on</strong>sidered as the exposure<br />

<str<strong>on</strong>g>of</str<strong>on</strong>g> interest. While technically comm<strong>on</strong>, 25(OH)D measurements are not and the majority<br />

<str<strong>on</strong>g>of</str<strong>on</strong>g> the populati<strong>on</strong> and their health care providers are unaware <str<strong>on</strong>g>of</str<strong>on</strong>g> their actual vitamin D<br />

c<strong>on</strong>centrati<strong>on</strong>. This same design also allows multiple outcomes <str<strong>on</strong>g>of</str<strong>on</strong>g> a single exposure to be<br />

examined and ensures that a temporal sequence can be established (Table 2.3). 12-15<br />

Although there are several benefits to this type <str<strong>on</strong>g>of</str<strong>on</strong>g> study design, prospective cohort<br />

investigati<strong>on</strong>s typically require c<strong>on</strong>siderable time and expense. 12<br />

There are also<br />

challenges in maintaining cohorts over the period <str<strong>on</strong>g>of</str<strong>on</strong>g> study and the design does not enable<br />

the impact <str<strong>on</strong>g>of</str<strong>on</strong>g> many other possible exposures to be evaluated. 12,13 A descripti<strong>on</strong> <str<strong>on</strong>g>of</str<strong>on</strong>g> the<br />

2-5

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