Iron deficiency anemia as a risk factor for pulp disease in children from the central Peruvian jungle: a case‒control study.

Aim: To investigate iron-deficiency anemia as a risk factor for dental pulp disease in children from the central Peruvian jungle.

Methodology: A case-control study was carried out with 270 children, of which 90 referred to cases and 180, to controls. Patients with pulp disease were diagnosed according to the criteria of the Association of Endodontists and the American Board of Endodontics. A specific questionnaire was used to assess ferrous sulfate consumption, maternal education level, maternal age, occupation, and household income. Data were analyzed using Pearson's correlation coefficient and a binary logistic regression.

Results: Iron deficiency anemia offers a risk factor for pulp disease in children (OR 7.44, IC 95% 4.0-13.8). According to multivariate analysis using binary logistic regression, ferrous sulfate consumption (OR 13.8, IC 95% 5.6.33.9), maternal education level (OR 2.4, IC 95% 1.1-5.3), maternal age (OR 7.5, IC 95% 2.9-19.4), household income (OR 4.0, IC 95% 1.6-9.6), and caries (OR 10.7, IC 95% 4.5-25.7) configured independent factors that were statistically associated with pulp disease.

Conclusion: Iron deficiency anemia, ferrous sulfate consumption, maternal education level, maternal age, household income, and dental caries were positively associated with pulp disease in children.