Association of Oral Candida with Severe Early Childhood Caries in Hospitalized Children: A Clinico–Microbiological Study

Background: Early childhood caries (ECC) is one of the most prevalent biofilm-dependent infectious diseases in childhood.It is a disease that is not caused by one factor but is multifactorial and complex etiology. Mutans Streptococci (MS) and Lactobacillus species are the main microorganisms that are implicated for the initiation and progression of dental caries respectively. Candida albicans has been frequently detected together with Streptococcus mutans in high numbers in plaque-biofilm from toddlers with early childhood caries (ECC).Prolonged hospitalization is required for children for vast array of diseases, candida being an opportunistic pathogen has a potential to develop in a large number during this period. Thus, there is a high chance of extensive detection of candida in children suffering from ECC and are hospitalized for a long duration.

Aim: To compare and evaluate association of oral Candida albicans with severe early childhood caries in hospitalized children.

Objectives: To evaluate the association of candida albicans count in hospitalized and non-hospitalized children with severe early childhood caries and caries free children.

Methods: 20 children were selected and divided into two groups consisting of 160 children each comprising of prolonged hospitalized and non-hospitalization. Each group were sub-divided into 2 subgroups of 80 each comprising of severe ECC and caries free children. Collected saliva samples were analyzed for the presence of candida albicans.

Results: Candida albicans was found in both the SECC group and caries free group. Median Candida albicans of the SECC group was numerically greater in hospitalized children as compared to non-hospitalized children.

Conclusion: There was a significant increase in Candida albicans count in SECC children compared to the caries free children.