Untreated caries and serum vitamin D levels in children and youth of the United States: NHANES 2013-2014

Lilian Rigo, Augusto Bacelo Bidinotto, Fernando Neves Hugo, Matheus Neves, Juliana Balbinot Hilgert

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the association between serum vitamin D levels and untreated caries and determining factors in children and youth. METHODOLOGY: This cross-sectional study used data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2013-2014). In total, 3,072 participants with ages ranging from 1 to 19 years were included in our sample. The main dependent variable, untreated caries, was defined as having at least one untreated carious surface in any tooth. Serum concentration of 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] was categorized into four groups: ≥75 nmol/ml, 50-74.9 nmol/ml, 25-49.9 nmol/ml, and <25 nmol/ml. Data were analyzed using a binary logistic regression. RESULTS: For children aged 1-5 years, age (OR = 1.68, 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) 1.38-2.04) and low levels of vitamin D (25-49.9 nmol/ml, and <25 nmol/ml: OR = 2.55, 95% CI 1.06-6.13) were associated with untreated caries. For children aged 6-11 years, low levels of vitamin D (50-74.9 nmol/ml: OR=1.45, 95% CI 1.16-1.82) remained associated with untreated caries. No associations were found in those between 12 and 19 years of age. CONCLUSION: Our findings show an association between low levels of 25(OH)D and untreated caries in children between 1 and 11 years of age, suggesting that this nutrient might interfere in the caries process.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)99-106
Number of pages8
JournalBrazilian Dental Journal
Volume34
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 1 2023

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Medicine

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