Introduction: Salivary melatonin is a critical antioxidant that contributes to oral health by mitigating oxidative stress. Psychological stress linked to thumb sucking may disrupt oral homeostasis, leading to conditions such as dental caries and fungal infections. Aim: This study explores the relationships between thumb sucking, salivary melatonin levels, dental caries, and the presence of Candida albicans (CA) in children. Materials and methods: A case-control study was conducted with 60 children aged 4-5 years at the University of Baghdad’s College of Dentistry. Participants were divided into thumb-sucking (n=30) and non-thumb-sucking (n=30) groups. Salivary melatonin levels were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA), dental caries were assessed via the dmfs index, and CA counts were quantified on Sabouraud dextrose agar (SDA). Statistical analyses were performed, including t-tests, ANOVA, and correlation assessments. Results: Thumb-sucking children exhibited significantly lower salivary melatonin levels (28.620±2.278 pg/mL) compared to controls (34.525±2.142 pg/mL; p=0.044). The thumb-sucking group also had higher dmfs scores (15.033±1.449 vs. 8.667±0.899; p=0.000) and greater CA counts (18.900±1.048 vs. 13.583±0.549; p=0.000). Negative correlations were observed between salivary melatonin levels and the severity of dental caries, while positive correlations linked CA with dental caries. Conclusions: Thumb sucking adversely affects pediatric oral health by reducing salivary melatonin, increasing dental caries risk, and promoting fungal overgrowth. Early intervention to curb thumb-sucking behaviors may mitigate these risks and improve oral health outcomes.
Inflammation of the tonsils could be described as acute tonsillitis, mainly due to infection. Recurrent tonsillitis could be defined as 3-7 episodes during the first 3 years of age. Vitamin D, which is a neuro-hormone with pleiotropic biological activities may modulate the immune response by alleviation, and stimulation of Th1 and Th2 cell proliferation, respectively, that influence the stimulation, synthesis, and secretion of both pro and anti-inflammatory cytokines. In this study we aimed to shed light on the levels of vitamin D in children with different episodes of tonsillitis in association with levels of interleukins (TNFα, IL-2, IL-4, IL-10). Blood samples were collected from 48 participants in 3 groups: control, acute tonsilliti
... Show MoreThe objective that the researcher seeks to achieve through this research is to clarify the relationship between strategic management accounting techniques and the reliability of financial statements, and to measure the impact of these techniques as an independent variable with its three dimensions, which are: activities-based cost, target cost, and benchmarking on the reliability of financial statements as a dependent variable. To achieve this objective, the researcher did the following: First: Determine the research problem through the following question: Do strategic management accounting techniques affect the reliability of financial statements in industrial companies listed on the Palestine Exchange? Second: Making the analytical des
... Show MoreThe study scrutinises intermingled relations between children literature and some ecological issues. Such interwoven relationships would be highly recommended to encourage children to explore and identify themselves with nature from early ages to avoid facing an extreme experience later on. The research limits its scope to two novels Suzanne Collins’ (1962) The Hunger Games trilogy (2003-2007) and William Golding’s (1911-1993) Lord of the Flies (1954), and both novels have no direct connections with Ecology and the Eco-consciousness, yet it offers an insightful description about Man’s experience with Nature. Moreover, it raises serious moral questions, raises awareness, heals wounds and suggests solutions for the problems th
... Show MoreThe characteristic of our time is the tremendous technological progress and the wide use of the Internet. Children have had a large share of this progress.as they are becoming fond of having the technological equipment of tablets and mobile phones which become indispensable for these children cannot do without them .
Recently, the phenomenon of using mobile phones and tablets by children has become more widespread, and the society in general and parents, in particular, have ignored the reasons for their health .Despite the many advantages and benefits for children who are well trained to use these devices properly that have enhanced their cognitive and social abilities, there are many disadvantages that could harm children's growth if
Women with diabetes in pregnancy (type 1, type 2 and gestational) are at increased risk for adverse pregnancy outcomes which also include infant development of congenital heart disease and even fetal death. Adequate glycemic control before and during pregnancy is crucial to improve outcome
That the child in the early years of his life learns a lot of experiences that help him
grow properly, and if the availability of the child family atmosphere full of love and affection
and trust he was able to grow healthy growth and is in accordance with itself and with the
community in which they live, and stop method of the child in the expression of fear on the
nature of situation and on the theme of fear and the reaction of those around the child as well
as the vague positions that can not a child from its interpretation raises his fear, and its lead in
life are the kindergarten of the growing concerns him, causing his social concern, therefore,
targeted current research to identify patterns of parental care(mot
Malnutrition, anemia, and micronutrient deficits may be associated with Enterobius vermicularis infection. Hence, the subject has recently received a lot of attention. The goal of this study was to analyse the nutritional, hematological and micronutrient status of children infected with E. vermicularis. This research was carried out in Baghdad from October 2021 to the end of March 2022. The study comprised 100 children of both sexes, ranging in age from 3-16 years. All individuals nutritional status was assessed using the weight-for-age Z score and the height-for-age Z score. As well as cellophane tape samples and blood samples were collected from all individuals. The cellophane tape samples were examined under microscope f
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