Relationship between Maternal Prenatal Vitamin D Status and Early Childhood Caries in Their Children: A Cross-sectional Survey.

BACKGROUND

Vitamin D deficiency in expectant mothers is very common in India. As a consequence, the possibility of hypoplasia of teeth and resultant propensity for faster progression of early childhood caries (ECC) is expected to be higher in Indian children.

AIM

This study aimed to determine the relationship between prenatal vitamin D intake of mothers and dental caries experience in their preschool children, and whether vitamin D deficiency in mothers could be a risk factor for tooth decay in their children.

DESIGN

This cross-sectional study included 120 mothers of children aged up to 71 months with dental caries attending the Department of Pediatric Dentistry in India. Mothers were surveyed about their prenatal vitamin D intake and their practices regarding vitamin D and sunlight exposure. Children were clinically examined, and their caries status was recorded using the decayed, extracted, filled teeth (deft) index.

RESULTS

Data were analyzed descriptively and correlated using an independent -test. Binary logistic regression was employed to predict the effects of the duration of sun exposure and vitamin D deficiency on dental decay. The correlation of mothers' prenatal vitamin D intake was significantly associated weekly with children's caries experience. Their sun exposure ( = 0.002) and practices adopted ( = 0.0001) regarding vitamin D levels were statistically significant for children's caries status. Improper brushing frequency was also significantly associated with higher deft scores.

CONCLUSION

The association between mothers' prenatal vitamin D intake and health practices related to vitamin D with dental caries was not confirmed. Subjects with vitamin D deficiency and their children had significantly higher odds of developing dental decay. However, our findings suggest that 25-hydroxyvitamin D insufficiency may be a risk factor for developing dental caries in children.

HOW TO CITE THIS ARTICLE

Kalra G, Kumar Y, Langpoklakpam C, Relationship between Maternal Prenatal Vitamin D Status and Early Childhood Caries in Their Children: A Cross-sectional Survey. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2024;17(8):860-863.