Parental knowledge, misconceptions and treatment practices about infant teething

Objective: To assess parental knowledge, misconceptions and treatment practices about infant teething in our area. Methodology: This cross sectional study was done at Department of Pediatrics, Abbottabad International Medical College and Hospital, Abbottabad, from July 2019 to January 2020. A total of 175 parents (mother or father) aged >20 years having at least one child aged between 6 months to 5 years of age, and visiting outpatient pediatric department were included. A questionnaire was specifically designed this study. Demographic information like parental age, educational status and number of children, awareness about sign and symptoms as well as commonly adopted practices to relieve teething symptoms were recorded. Results: Out of 175 participants, 127(72.6%) were female, 89(50.9%) above 30 years old and 62(35.4%) were illiterate. Parents believed that loose stool, fever, pain, vomiting and desire to bite were the commonest sign and symptoms related to teething reported by 154(88.0%), 128(73.1%), 85(48.6%), 85(48.6%) and 78(44.6%), respectively Allowing children to bite on a chilled object was the commonest practice 132(75.4%), followed by bottle feeding or nursing at night 128(73.1%) to tackle teething related signs and symptoms. Conclusion: Loose stool followed by fever, pain and desire to bite were the most commonly believed teething symptoms among infants. Allowing children to bit on a chilled object was the commonest practice among parents to tackle teething related signs and symptoms.