Relationship Between Early Childhood Caries and Anemia: A Systematic Review

Background: Early childhood caries (ECC) is one of the important caries occuring in children under the age of 6. ECC is defined as possible risk factor for iron deficiency-related anemia. In this review study, the current evidence about the effect of ECC on the prevalence of anemia was studied. Material and Methods: A systematic review on ECC and anemia was done based on published article in PubMed and Google scholar databases. The search profiles included ECC/risk factor, SECC/risk factors, ECC/anemia, ECC/ferritin, and ECC/iron deficiency. Inclusion criteria comprised of all studies that focused on ECC and anemia or related fields. Results: A total of 3546 articles on early childhood caries were identified in PubMed and google scholar databases. After screening the titles and abstracts as well as limitation the subjects to ECC and risk factors, 175 articles underwent further investigation, of which 12 articles on ECC and anemia were finalized. Other research efforts in this regard had been made through theses and reported in non-PubMed English journals; thus, Conducting further search by Google, 3 more relevant articles were discovered. Conclusion: According to this literature review on ECC and anemia, it is suggested to consider ECC as one of the risk factors for iron deficiency and anemia in children. More studies are needed to examine lifestyle and socioeconomic risk factors that can be associated with the malnourished status of these children. Preventive strategies against ECC should be developed to reduce the risk of iron deficiency and its related anemia.