European Journal of Molecular & Clinical Medicine

Background - Early childhood caries (ECC) is a public health problem among preschool
children. One of the most common condition seen in children with ECC is malnutrition.
Objectives - This study investigated the prevalence of ECC and its association with body
weight and anemia among preschool children in rural area of central India.
Materials and methods - 1332 children of age 2 - 5 years from the rural area of central India
were evaluated. Anthropometric measurements and clinical tests were used to assess the
nutritional status of the children.
Results - It was found that 45.1 % children were diagnosed with SECC and 9.15% and 46.08
% amongst them were anemic and iron deficient, respectively this was done based on the
criteria established by the World Health Organization. 44.93% of children with SECC were
classified as underweight, based on national standards for the body mass index. Multivariable
logistic regression analysis was used to determine the relationship between the caries status of
the children and anemia (p < 0.05).
Conclusion - Clinicians and dentists should provide treatment to improve both the oral
hygiene and the nutritional status of children with SECC, as SECC is strongly associated with
anemia (5.75-fold)