Cross-Sectional Study of Mother and Child Showing Iron Deficiency Anemia Leading to Severe Early Childhood Caries-Original Research Article

Abstract

Anemia is defined as decreased levels of hemoglobin (Hb). It may vary due to many factors but mainly age, gender and ethnicity. Globally nutritional deficiency anemia is seen in developing country of which iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is common. The causes and reasons may be many .Any level of Hb less than 13gm/dl in males and 12gm/dl is considered as anemia. Anemia is classified as mild, moderate and severe. In pregnant women if the Hb is between 8-10mg/dl-mild, 6-8mg/dl-moderate and less than 6mg/dl is considered as severe iron deficiency anemia in our country. Children born to pregnant women who are already iron deficient are more prone for dental caries-severe early childhood caries. The cross-sectional study was conducted in Northern Karnataka in pregnant women attending antenatal care in government hospitals suffering mainly from nutritional deficiency-iron deficiency anemia and data was obtained for all the 3 trimesters, natal and followed up to children of age 5yrs born to them. Total number of pregnant women who attended ANC were 168 who had iron deficiency anemia in the 1^st trimester and Hb levels were recorded and followed till 3^rd trimester and subsequently delivery .Children born to them were evaluated till 5 yrs for severe early childhood caries (SECC).Data was obtained for both mother and children born to them and were evaluated and concluded based upon observations and results that iron deficiency is the main reason for SECC which was opined both by the clinicians and dentists.