Abstract
AimTo assess the level of vitamin B12 and correlate it with dental caries [decayed, missing, and filled permanent teeth (DMFT) score] and gingival diseases [plaque index (PI) and gingival index (GI)].DesignHealthy children according to the inclusion criteria were selected by the computerized randomization method from a school to assess the vitamin B12 levels using Centaur/ Versace machine.Materials and methodsBlood samples were collected to assess vitamin B12 levels using automated analyzer. Oral examination was done by a single calibrated dentist. A thorough oral examination was carried out and the DMFT, PI, and GI scores of all the children were recorded and assessed. Data were analyzed using Karl Pearson’s correlation test.ResultsVitamin B12 levels were deficient in 64% of the children. In boys, vitamin B12 deficiency was found in about 76.2%, whereas, in girls it was 57.1%, which was not statistically significant. The vitamin B12 deficient children showed a significantly high DMFT scores than the children with normal vitamin B12 levels. The Pearson’s correlation was -0.614 for DMFT, PI value -0.663, and GI value of -0.477. The negative correlation stated that there was a reverse relation between these indices and vitamin B12.ConclusionIn children with systemic vitamin B12 deficiency, there is increased dental caries prevalence and associated gingival problems.How to cite this articleHugar SM, Dhariwal NS, Majeed A, Badakar C, Gokhale N, Mistry L. Assessment of Vitamin B12 and Its Correlation with Dental Caries and Gingival Diseases in 10- to 14-year-old Children: A Cross-sectional Study. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent 2017;10(2):142-146.
Highlights
Vitamin B12 is one of the important micronutrients for brain development and function
Vitamin B12 deficiency was found in about 76.2%, whereas, in girls it was 57.1%, which was not statistically significant
Vitamin B12 deficiency was found in about 76.2%, whereas, in girls it was 57.1% (Graph 1) which was not statistically significant
Summary
Vitamin B12 is one of the important micronutrients for brain development and function. The developing brain was more sensitive to the deficiency of this micronutrient than the mature brain. Vitamin B12 (cobalamin) deficiency is common in Indians; largely owing to vegetarianism.[1]. Micronutrient deficiency is a serious childhood problem in developing countries. Studies by Wadia et al[3] found vitamin B12 deficiency (below 200 pg/mL) in 0.88%, folic acid deficiency in 1.1% (below 3 ng/mL), deficiency of both in 2.4% patient, and 3.8% had levels near the lower limit of normal.[3] It is common in India, owing to cultural and religious beliefs, low intake of animal source food, and strict vegetarianism.[1,4,5]
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