Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40254914›Full record

SynthesisInternational journal of paediatric dentistry2025

Risk of Early Childhood Dental Caries Associated With Prolonged Breastfeeding: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Karina Lustosa, Larissa Rosa Santana Rodrigues, Reuber Mendes Rocha, Tiago Paiva Prudente, Eleazar Mezaiko, Fernanda Paula Yamamoto Silva, Brunno Santos Freitas Silva

Abstract readSystematic ReviewMeta-Analysis
In one paragraph

Synthesis in International journal of paediatric dentistry, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 10 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
10citing papers in PubMed, 1 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

10 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.

  1. Pooled it
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  4. Review
  5. Review
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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Karina LustosaDepartment of Oral Medicine, University of Anápolis, Anápolis, GO, Brazil.
Larissa Rosa Santana RodriguesDepartment of Stomatologic Sciences, School of Dentistry, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia, GO, Brazil.
Reuber Mendes RochaDepartment of Stomatologic Sciences, School of Dentistry, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia, GO, Brazil.
Tiago Paiva PrudenteUniversidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, GO, Brazil.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8803-5384
Eleazar MezaikoDepartment of Stomatologic Sciences, School of Dentistry, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia, GO, Brazil.
Fernanda Paula Yamamoto SilvaDepartment of Stomatologic Sciences, School of Dentistry, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia, GO, Brazil.
Brunno Santos Freitas SilvaDepartment of Stomatologic Sciences, School of Dentistry, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia, GO, Brazil.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundBreastfeeding provides essential nutrients and benefits for newborns. However, its prolonged duration has raised concerns about potential risks for early childhood caries (ECC).

aimTo determine if prolonged breastfeeding increases the risk of dental caries in children under 71 months.

designEligibility criteria included observational studies comparing ECC risk in children breastfed for over 12 months, with no language restrictions. Databases searched included PubMed, Scopus, and others, up to May 17, 2024. Risk of bias was assessed using the JBI Critical Appraisal Checklist. Meta-analyses were performed using a random-effects model.

resultsTwenty-five studies involving 19 681 participants were included. Studies showed an increased risk of ECC in children breastfed for more than 24 months (RR = 2.44; 95% CI, 1.97 to 3.02). For the 12-24 months period, no significant risk increase was found. Meta-analyses also indicated higher ECC prevalence with breastfeeding beyond 12 months (OR = 1.86; 95% CI, 1.48 to 2.35).

conclusionProlonged breastfeeding beyond 24 months is associated with an increased risk of ECC. This review highlights the need for future studies to address current research limitations and better understand the relationship between prolonged breastfeeding and ECC.

trial registrationInternational Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO): CRD42024509212.

Indexed as

Breast FeedingDental CariesChild, PreschoolHumansInfantRisk FactorsTime Factorsdental educationpreventionsyndromes head and neck/cleft lip and palate

Identifiers

PMID40254914
PMCPMC12332104

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY
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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.