Vitamin D deficiency as an etiological factor in delayed eruption of primary teeth: A cross-sectional study

Abstract

Context: Delayed tooth eruption might be the primary or sole manifestation of local or systemic pathology. Aims: The aim of the study was to correlate Vitamin D level and eruption status of primary teeth. The objectives also included the assessment of the association between Vitamin D levels and socioeconomic status, infant's sun exposure, maternal sun exposure during pregnancy and religion. Settings and Design: A cross-sectional, observational study conducted on 96 infants aged 12–15 months. Materials and Methods: Ninety-six infants, aged 12–15 months were selected after obtaining parental consent. Blood samples were assessed for Vitamin D3 levels using the Vitamin D ELISA Kit. The eruption status of the teeth was recorded in all the 96 infants. The obtained data were subjected to the statistical analysis. Statistical Analysis Used: The obtained data were subjected to relevant statistical analysis such as Analysis of Variance, unpaired t-test, Kruskal–Wallis test, and Mann–Whitney U test, Chi-square Test, Tukey HSD, and Fisher's exact Test. Results: A significant correlation was found in the Vitamin D levels and the eruption timing (P < 0.001). The difference in mean Vitamin D levels among the three socio economic groups was not statistically significant (P = 0.088). A significant association was found between the infant's sun exposure and mother's sun exposure during pregnancy and religion on the Vitamin D levels (P = 0.002, P = 0.042, P = 0.002). Conclusions: Vitamin D deficiency can be considered as an etiological factor for delayed eruption. A strong association exists between the socioeconomic status, infant's sun exposure, maternal sun exposure during pregnancy, and religion with Vitamin D levels.

Keywords

• delayed eruption
• sun exposure
• vitamin d deficiency