Iron deficiency anaemia and early childhood caries: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to assess the association between iron deficiency anaemia (IDA) and dental caries in early childhood. METHODS: A total of 40 children with proven IDA and another 40 healthy age and sex-matched children were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. Legal guardians were interviewed to collect data on oral hygiene measures and dietary habits. Anthropometric measurements were performed for all participants, and blood samples were collected to assess complete blood count and body iron status. Patients were confirmed to have IDA based on haemoglobin level (Hb), red blood cells indices and body iron status. Caries experience was determined based on the number of decayed, missing and filled primary teeth using dmft index. RESULTS: A statistically significant negative correlation between dmft index scores and haemoglobin level (r = -0.454, P < 0.001) and mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH) level (r = -0.380, P = 0.001) was detected, and in accordance there was a positive statistically significant correlation between caries experience and the presence of anaemia (r = -0.60, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: In early childhood, dental caries might coexist with IDA even in its mildest form. All children exhibiting severe early childhood caries should be investigated for IDA and anaemia should be managed if present.