Abstract
Data sources
PubMed, EMBASE, SCOPUS, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials databases and the ClinicalTrials.gov registry were searched with related articles'. Experts were contacted and a manual search of reference lists was undertaken.
Study selection
Randomised or quasi-randomised controlled trials that evaluated the maternal use of xylitol gum on Mutans Streptococci (MS) colonisation in infants.
Data extraction and synthesis
Two independent reviewers performed data extraction with a third reviewer asked to resolve any disagreements. Cochrane risk of bias tool was used to assess the quality of studies. Two reviewers independently appraised the methodological quality. The primary outcome measure was presence of MS in the saliva or plaque of infants, with the secondary outcome measure being occurrence of dental decay.
Results
11 studies published between 2000 and 2012 involving a total of 601 patients were included. Sample sizes ranged from 60 to 195 and the daily dose of xylitol consumption ranged from 1.95g to 5.28g. Follow-up ranged from six months to 120 months. There was a significant difference between the two groups, with infants in the control group experiencing greater incidences of MS in their plaque or saliva. Risk ratios were 0.44 (95% CI: 0.08-2.40) at 6-9 months, 0.54 (95% CI: 0.39-0.73) at 12-18 months, 0.60 (95% CI: 0.34-1.08) at 24 months, 0.56 (95% CI: 0.40-0.79) at 36 months and 0.61 (95% CI: 0.48-0.76) at 60 months. Caries data could not be pooled.
Conclusions
Xylitol consumption by mothers with high MS levels was associated with a significant reduction in the mother-to-child transmission of salivary MS. These findings are based on evidence that may have suffered from biases.
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Address for correspondence: Ka-Wai Tam and Hui-Ting Chang, Centre for Evidence-based Health Care, Taipei Medical University – Shuang Ho Hospital, 291, Zhongzheng Road, Zhonghe District, New Taipei City 23561, Taiwan. E-mails: kelvintam@h.tmu.edu.tw; dent2013life@gmail.com
Lin HK, Fang CE, Huang MS, Cheng HC, Huang TW, Chang HT, Tam KW. Effect of maternal use of chewing gums containing xylitol on transmission of mutans streptococci in children: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Int J Paediatr Dent 2015; Feb 13. doi: 10.1111/ipd.12155. [Epub ahead of print] PubMed PMID: 25684114.
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Yates, C., Duane, B. Maternal xylitol and mutans streptococci transmission. Evid Based Dent 16, 41–42 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ebd.6401090
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ebd.6401090
