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Xylitol pediatric topical oral syrup to prevent dental caries: a double-blind randomized clinical trial of efficacy.
Title | Xylitol pediatric topical oral syrup to prevent dental caries: a double-blind randomized clinical trial of efficacy. |
Publication Type | Journal Article |
Year of Publication | 2009 |
Authors | Milgrom, P, Ly, KA, Tut, OK, Mancl, L, Roberts, MC, Briand, K, Gancio, MJane |
Journal | Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med |
Volume | 163 |
Issue | 7 |
Pagination | 601-7 |
Date Published | 2009 Jul |
ISSN | 1538-3628 |
Keywords | Administration, Oral, Dental Caries, DMF Index, Dosage Forms, Double-Blind Method, Female, Humans, Incidence, Infant, Male, Micronesia, Otitis Media, Poisson Distribution, Sorbitol, Treatment Outcome, Xylitol |
Abstract | OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effectiveness of a xylitol pediatric topical oral syrup to reduce the incidence of dental caries among very young children and to evaluate the effect of xylitol in reducing acute otitis media in a subsequent study. DESIGN: Double-blind randomized controlled trial. SETTING: Communities in the Republic of the Marshall Islands. PARTICIPANTS: One hundred eight children aged 9 to 15 months were screened, and 100 were enrolled. Intervention Children were randomized to receive xylitol topical oral syrup (administered by their parents) twice a day (2 xylitol [4.00-g] doses and 1 sorbitol dose) (Xyl-2 x group) or thrice per day (3 xylitol [2.67-g] doses) (Xyl-3x group) vs a control syrup (1 xylitol [2.67-g] dose and 2 sorbitol doses) (control group). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcome end point of the study was the number of decayed primary teeth. A secondary outcome end point was the incidence of acute otitis media for reporting in a subsequent report. RESULTS: Ninety-four children (mean [SD] age, 15.0 [2.7] months at randomization) with at least 1 follow-up examination were included in the intent-to-treat analysis. The mean (SD) follow-up period was 10.5 (2.2) months. Fifteen of 29 of the children in the control group (51.7%) had tooth decay compared with 13 of 32 children in the Xyl-3x group (40.6%) and eight of 33 children in the Xyl-2x group (24.2%). The mean (SD) numbers of decayed teeth were 1.9 (2.4) in the control group, 1.0 (1.4) in the Xyl-3x group, and 0.6 (1.1) in the Xyl-2x group. Compared with the control group, there were significantly fewer decayed teeth in the Xyl-2x group (relative risk, 0.30; 95% confidence interval, 0.13-0.66; P = .003) and in the Xyl-3x group (0.50; 0.26-0.96; P = .04). No statistical difference was noted between the 2 xylitol treatment groups (P = .22). CONCLUSION: Xylitol oral syrup administered topically 2 or 3 times daily at a total daily dose of 8 g was effective in preventing early childhood caries. |
DOI | 10.1001/archpediatrics.2009.77 |
Alternate Journal | Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med |
PubMed ID | 19581542 |
PubMed Central ID | PMC2722805 |
Grant List | R40 MC03622 / / PHS HHS / United States U54 DE014254 / DE / NIDCR NIH HHS / United States U54 DE014254-07 / DE / NIDCR NIH HHS / United States U54 DE14254 / DE / NIDCR NIH HHS / United States |