Evaluation of interrelationship of early childhood caries and iron deficiency anemia

Background: to evaluate the interrelationship of severe early childhood caries and iron deficiency anemia in young children. Methods: A total of 102 children of age 2-6 years were screened by one of the pediatric dentists for the presence or absence of S-ECC according to the AAPD guidelines and were divided into 2 groups - study group (cases) and control group. Out of total 102 children screened, 60 children consented to participate in the study .The dental caries status, measurement of weight, and blood sample analysis were done for both groups. The blood sample collected was used for estimation of following parameters such as Hb, mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), and hematocrit packed cell volume (PCV) to diagnose anemia. The data collected were statistically analysed. Results: A total of 60 out of 102 children were recruited 30 cases and 30 controls (59% response); forty two parents did not give consent for the study. There was no statistically significant difference between groups regarding age, male/female ratio between two groups. 43% children in study group suffered with Iron Deficiency Anemia. Data revealed that Hb, MCV, and PCV level differed significantly between the groups, but MCHC levels did not differ significantly between the groups. Conclusion: Based on this, it can be suggested that pediatric dentists, pediatricians, and family physicians should recommend the assessment of anemia in S-ECC patients regardless of their clinical nutritional status.