Affiliations: Institute of Child Health, University of Nigeria
Teaching Hospital Enugu, Nigeria | Department of Pediatrics, University of Nigeria
Teaching Hospital Enugu, Nigeria
Note: [] Correspondence: Dr. Samuel N. Uwaezuoke, Institute of Child
Health U.N.T.H. Enugu, Nigeria. Tel: 0 234 33 248 108; fax: 0 234 92 726 161;
E-mail: snuwaezuoke@yahoo
Abstract: Although digit-sucking habit is common in preschool children, there
is multiracial variation of prevalence rates. Hitherto unidentified variables
are being reported as possible risk factors. To analyse this habit in preschool
children in Enugu, Eastern Nigeria, a prospective crosssectional study was
conducted on one hundred (100) children. Their mothers were interviewed with a
structured questionnaire. The habit was noted in 23% of the children, with a
slight male preponderance. Using the correlation coefficient model, longer
total duration of breast-feeding was not well correlated with increase in
number of digit-sucking preschool children (correlation coefficient, r = 0.36,
P < 0.05). The number of these children exposed to pacifier sucking was
significantly greater than the number of their non-sucking counterparts with
similar exposure (χ^2 = 38.56, P < 0.05). It is
concluded that preschool children exposed to pacifier use and shorter duration
of breast-feeding were more likely to exhibit the habit. (J Pediatr Neurol
2003; 1(2): 99–101).
