![]() | Only 14 pages are availabe for public view |
Abstract There are few researches that studied the relationship between nutritional status and dental caries. This study was designed to explore this relationship by examining the hypothesis that deficiency in vitamin D, calcium, ferritin and hemoglobin blood levels is associated with S-ECC. The study sample was composed of 50 preschool children divided into two equal groups (caries free children and children with S-ECC). Children with S-ECC were recruited from those attending the general anesthesia clinic in the Pediatric Dentistry Departement of Alexandria Faculty of Dentistry seeking for rehabilitative dental surgery under GA. While caries free children were recruited from those attending El Shatby Hospital seeking for adenectomy or tonsillectomy. Dental examination was done for all children then blood samples were withdrawn. In children with S-ECC, blood was withdrawn during their dental surgery under general anesthesia. While in caries free children, blood was withdrawn during their routine investigations which were needed for their operation. Blood samples were then taken to the laboratory to be analyzed for vitamin D, calcium, ferritin and hemoglobin levels. The findings of this study showed that Children with S-ECC were significantly more likely to have vitamin D and ferritin levels in blood below recognized thresholds for optimal and adequate status. While there was no significant difference in calcium and hemoglobin blood levels between children with and without S-ECC. from this study, it was concluded that children with S-ECC appear to have relatively poor nutritional health compared to caries-free controls, and were significantly more likely to have low vitamin D and ferritin blood levels. |