Vitamin D, pregnancy and caries in children in the INMA-Asturias birth cohort

Association between prenatal vitamin D deficiency with dental caries in infants and children: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Prenatal vitamin D (PVD) is a vital micronutrient for dental caries (DCs). The association between prenatal vitamin D deficiencies (PVDD) and DCs in children has been conflicting in different reports. This meta-analysis aimed to investigate the association between PVDD and DCs in children for the first time. We searched PubMed, Scopus, Web of Sciences, Embase, and Scholar databases to find relevant studies based on mesh terms from 2000 to October 2023. This study was conducted based on the 2020 version of the PRISMA checklist. Cochran's Q and I2 tests were used to evaluate heterogeneity between studies. Egger's test was used to evaluate publication bias. The effect size of the association between PVDD and DCs was reported by the odds ratio (OR) at the 95% confidence interval (95% CI).Twelve studies, including 11,021 participants, were reviewed. The pooled prevalence of PVDD was estimated at 4353 (32%). The prevalence of DCs in children of mothers with and without PVDD was 44% and 25%, respectively. PVDD was significantly associated with an increased risk of DCs in children (OR: 1.35, 95% CI (1.22, 1.47), I2 = 86.6%). The association of DCs with PVDD was different based on gestational age groups, children's age groups, and vitamin D levels. This meta-analysis showed PVDD can be associated with an increased risk of DCs in children, especially in mothers with prenatal vitamin D levels ≤ 35 nmol/L. Adequate vitamin D levels throughout pregnancy can help prevent DCs in children.

Clinical Correlation of Vitamin D Deficiency and Early Childhood Caries: A Cross-Sectional Study in Western Rajasthan

Objectives

To ascertain whether a link exists between vitamin D insufficiency and early childhood caries or not.

Method

From the out patient department (OPD) of the Pedodontics Department at Vyas Dental College, a random sample of 40 kids between the ages of 8 months and 5 years old was chosen. Each kid had blood drawn to check their serum 25(OH) vitamin D levels. All of the data was collated and given the necessary statistical analysis.

Result

The case group's mean serum 25(OH) vitamin D level was 10.19 ng/mL (with a standard deviation of 3.46), while the control group's was 20.84 ng/mL (2.54 SD).

Conclusion

A significant modifiable risk factor for childhood dental caries is a vitamin D deficiency. Therefore, cavities in teeth can be avoided by giving youngsters vitamin D supplements and avoiding vitamin D insufficiency.

Dental caries in children and vitamin D deficiency: a narrative review

Dental caries represents one of the most prevalent health problems in childhood. Numerous studies have assessed that vitamin D deficiency is highly related to dental caries in primary and permanent teeth in children. The aim of this study is to elaborate a narrative review about proposed mechanisms by which vitamin D deficiency interacts with dental caries process in children. Vitamin D deficiency during pregnancy may cause intrauterine enamel defects, and through childhood is accompanied by insufficient activity of antibacterial peptides, decreased saliva secretion, and a low level of calcium in saliva.  Conclusion: In conclusion, vitamin D deficiency would increase the risk of caries in the primary and/or permanent dentition. Relationship between vitamin D deficiency and dental caries is evident enough for vitamin D deficiency to be considered as a risk factor for dental caries in children. Optimal levels of vitamin D throughout pregnancy and childhood may be considered an additional preventive measure for dental caries in the primary and permanent dentition.

The association between serum vitamin D status and dental caries or molar incisor hypomineralisation in 7-9-year-old Norwegian children: a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

Research focusing on the association between serum vitamin D and oral health outcomes in children, such as dental caries and molar incisor hypomineralisation (MIH), shows inconsistent results. Previous studies have predominantly investigated dental caries and MIH as dichotomized outcomes, which limits the information on their distribution. In addition, the methods used for analysing serum vitamin D have varied. The present study aimed to investigate potential associations between serum vitamin D status measured by Liquid Chromatography with Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) and the prevalence, as well as the number of teeth, affected by dental caries or MIH among 7-9-year-old Norwegian children.

METHODS

The study had a cross-sectional design and included 101 children aged 7-9 years. Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) was measured and included as continuous (per 25 nmol/l) and categorised (insufficient (< 50 nmol/l) and sufficient (≥50 nmol/l)) exposure variables. Adjusted negative binomial hurdle models were used to investigate the potential associations between serum vitamin D and the oral health outcomes (dental caries and MIH) adjusted for sex, age, body mass index, season of blood draw, and mother's educational level.

RESULTS

Of the 101 children in the total sample, 27% had insufficient vitamin D levels (< 50 nmol/l). The descriptive analysis indicated that the children with insufficient vitamin D levels had a higher prevalence (33.3%) and a higher number of teeth affected by dental caries (mean (SD) = 0.7 (1.4)), compared to children with sufficient levels of vitamin D (21.6% and mean (SD) = 0.4 (0.8), respectively). The same holds for MIH, with a higher prevalence (38.5%) and a higher number of teeth affected (mean (SD) = 1.2 (2.3)), compared to children with sufficient levels of vitamin D (30.1% and mean (SD) = 0.8 (1.6), respectively). However, in the adjusted hurdle model analysis, neither the prevalence or number of teeth affected by caries or MIH showed statistically significant associations with having insufficient or lower vitamin D levels.

CONCLUSIONS

Vitamin D status was not significantly associated with the prevalence and number of teeth affected by caries and MIH among the participating children. Large prospective studies with multiple serum vitamin D measurements and oral examinations throughout childhood are warranted to elucidate the relationship.

Examining the Role of Vitamin D in Caries Susceptibility in Children's Deciduous Teeth: A Systematic Review

The global prevalence of dental caries in deciduous teeth remains a significant health concern, affecting almost 70% of children by the age of six in specific regions. This systematic review aspired to methodically investigate the association between vitamin D levels and susceptibility to caries in children's deciduous teeth. A detailed search, guided by the PRISMA and PROSPERO guidelines, was conducted across three prominent electronic databases: PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus, culminating in August 2023. The search integrated various keywords related to vitamin D and dental caries in primary dentition, yielding an initial pool of 1678 articles. After meticulous scrutiny, seven studies with a total of 7655 participants were deemed suitable for inclusion. The studies represented diverse geographical regions, showcasing varied vitamin D levels and sun exposure. Patient habits like brushing frequency, dental visits, and vitamin consumption also varied across studies. The analysis pinpointed vitamin D deficiency as a potential risk factor in some of the studies, with Odds Ratios (OR) ranging from 0.68 to 2.15. Statistically significant associations between vitamin D deficiency and caries susceptibility were documented in three studies (ORs of 2.15, 1.98, and 1.70). This comprehensive review elucidates the complex relationship between vitamin D levels and dental caries in children's deciduous teeth. While some studies spotlight vitamin D's pivotal role in dental health, inconsistencies across studies and regional differences necessitate more in-depth, globally representative investigations. Ensuring optimal vitamin D levels may play an integral role in dental health strategies. However, it is important to highlight that the roles of these studied factors might differ in deciduous teeth compared to permanent teeth.

The Impact of Prenatal Vitamin D on Enamel Defects and Tooth Erosion: A Systematic Review

Prenatal Vitamin D has been suggested to be critical for dental health in children, affecting outcomes including the prevalence of enamel defects and tooth erosion. This systematic review aimed to evaluate the potential impact of prenatal Vitamin D levels on these dental health outcomes. A total of seven studies, involving 6978 participants, were included after a comprehensive search of PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus from 2013 to June 2023. The average age of mothers varied across studies, with Vitamin D levels or supplementation practices displaying significant variation among the study populations. The age of children at examination ranged from 3.6 to 6.6 years. The analysis demonstrated a diverse association between Vitamin D levels and dental outcomes, with enamel defects reported in 21.1% to 64% of the children and opacities ranging from 36% to 79.5% across studies. Maternal Vitamin D insufficiency was identified as a significant risk factor for enamel defects in one study (OR: 3.55), whereas high prenatal Vitamin D levels indicated a protective effect against Hypomineralized Second Primary Molars (OR: 0.84) and Molar Incisor Hypomineralization (OR: 0.95) in another. Conversely, low Vitamin D levels increased the risk of enamel hypoplasia (OR: 1.29) and dental decay. The maternal and child demographics varied greatly across the studies, and the assessment and prevalence of Vitamin D deficiency or insufficiency were heterogenous. This review illuminates the potential influence of prenatal Vitamin D on dental health in children, underscoring the importance of adequate Vitamin D levels during pregnancy. However, more robust research is required to establish the optimal Vitamin D intake during pregnancy to ensure healthy dental outcomes in children.

Long-term incompatibility of nutritional status and early childhood caries-A call to revamp perinatal and early childhood dietary care and follow-up

Background and aim

Dietary pattern and diet quality can influence the incidence of dental caries and can be indicated by decay missing filled (Dmf) scores in the primary dentition. This study aims to find the relationship of nutritional status and oral hygiene practices on Dmf scores of preschool children.

Materials and methods

Semi-structured and self-administered questionnaires, distributed among 60 preschoolers' parents, were used to assess the demographic and diet related data. Anthropometric measurements of the preschoolers were taken following universally accepted protocols. The relationship between dietary supplement consumption and the presence of dental caries was evaluated by chi-square test employing SPSS 22.

Results

The anthropometric measurements among 4-year-old children were on par with the standard values and that of 5-year-olds were below the reference range. All the measurements except head to chest circumference were higher than normal range among 3-year-old subjects. Regular and periodic dental check-ups significantly influenced dental caries prevention (p = 0.030). Statistically, there was no significant association between Dmf scores and thumb-sucking habits (p = 0.568), brushing teeth and usage of tooth floss (p = 0.96), consumption of nutrient supplements (p = 0.744), and BMI (p = 0.564) of the subjects. Furthermore, the correlation between z scores and Dmf scores was found insignificant.

Conclusion

Long-term as well as short-term malnutrition initiated 2 years after the start of the pre-schooling. With severity of undernutrition there was a trend to have high Dmf scores.

Dental Consequences of Vitamin D Deficiency during Pregnancy and Early Infancy-An Observational Study

Vitamin D (25OHD) status during pregnancy is closely correlated with foetal and new-born 25OHD. Calcification for primary teeth begins from the fourth month of intrauterine life and from birth for permanent teeth. Dental consequences of severe 25OHD deficiency are well documented; however, consequences are less documented for milder degrees of 25OHD deficiency. This study examined the dental consequences of vitamin D deficiency/insufficiency during gestation and infancy in a cohort of 81 New Zealand children. Pregnancy and birth data for the children and their mothers and 25OHD status during gestation, birth and at five months were obtained, and dental examinations were conducted. Associations between 25OHD and enamel defects or caries experience were investigated. Of the 81 children, 55% had experienced dental caries and 64% had at least one enamel defect present. Vitamin D insufficiency (25OHD < 50 nmol/L) at all timepoints was not associated with enamel defect prevalence, but during third trimester pregnancy it was associated with an increased caries risk IRR of 3.55 (CI 1.15–10.92) by age 6. In conclusion, maternal 25OHD insufficiency during the third trimester of pregnancy was associated with greater caries experience in primary dentition. No association was found between early life 25OHD and enamel defect prevalence or severity.

Association between Vitamin D and Dental Caries in a Sample of Canadian and American Preschool-Aged Children

Background: Inadequate vitamin D levels may increase the risk of caries during childhood. The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) status and severe early childhood caries (S-ECC) in preschool children. Methods: Data were obtained from children <72 months of age in two case–control studies in Winnipeg, Manitoba and Richmond, Virginia. Serum analysis assessed 25(OH)D, calcium and parathyroid concentrations. Data on demographics, dental history and oral hygiene were obtained via questionnaires. Bivariate and multiple logistic regression analyses were performed to assess the relationships between demographic and biological variables and S-ECC. A p-value of ≤0.05 was significant. Results: Data were available for 200 children with S-ECC and 144 caries-free controls. Children with S-ECC had significantly lower 25(OH)D levels than those who were caries-free (p < 0.001), and children with deficient 25(OH)D levels were 10 times more likely to have S-ECC (p < 0.001). Multiple logistic regression revealed that having higher 25(OH)D and calcium concentrations (p = 0.019 and p < 0.0001, respectively), as well as being breastfed in infancy (p < 0.001), were significantly and independently associated with lower odds of S-ECC, while dental insurance (p = 0.006) was associated with higher odds of S-ECC. Conclusions: This study provides additional evidence of an association between nutritional status, specifically vitamin D and calcium levels, and S-ECC.