Association of severe early childhood caries with salivary ferritin

AIM: To evaluate salivary ferritin levels in children with severe early childhood caries (ECC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred twenty participants were split into a study group that consisted of 60 children with severe ECC (dmft ≥5) and a control group that was free of caries. Both groups were age and gender-matched. Saliva was collected from both groups. Salivary ferritin was assessed using chemiluminescence microparticle immunoassay. The data obtained were statistically analyzed. RESULTS: Salivary ferritin levels were higher in children with severe ECC (159.53 ± 18.65 μg/dl) compared to children with no caries (92.16 ± 12.91 μg/dl) and a highly significant statistical difference was seen (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Salivary ferritin levels were high with children having severe ECC.