The bi-directional relationship between growth stunting and early childhood caries: a rapid review

Abstract

Objective: This review aims to determine the two-way relationship between stunting and ECC in developing countries worldwide. Methods: The procedure in this study was carried out using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis-Rapid Review protocol. Article searches were carried out using databases Cochrane and PubMed. In addition, searches were also carried out using backward and forward snowballing techniques to identify articles that were not detected through database searches. Results: Nine observational epidemiological articles were found in children aged six months to six years, published in 2015–2020. Five articles discussed the features of ECC in stunted children, and the other five discussed stunting in children with caries in their primary teeth. Conclusion: Several studies found associations between severe ECC and stunting, with ECC and stunting as both independent and dependent variables, suggesting a bi-directional relationship, also supported by literature on the physiological relationship between oral health and nutrition.