AMELX gene association to early childhood caries in south-Indian children: a case-control study.

Purpose: Genetic variants of AMELX gene can affect the protein content, organization of enamel prisms, microstructure and microhardness of the enamel, thus altering the caries susceptibility. The present study aims to assess the association between polymorphisms rs17878486, rs5934997, and rs5933871 of AMELX gene and Early Childhood Caries (ECC).

Materials and methods: This case-control study was conducted on 200 participants, aged 3-6 years, with 100 controls and 100 children with ECC. A questionnaire was used to collect demographic data, birth-weight, type of delivery, oral hygiene practices, feeding history and 24-h diet diary. DNA was isolated from blood and subjected to PCR followed by Sanger sequencing.

Results: The CC genotype of rs17878486 showed an OR of 1.93 (0.34-10.81; P = 0.73). In a recessive model, the CC genotype of rs17878486 reported an OR of 2.04 (0.36-11.40; P = 0.68); rs5593871 reported an OR of 1.00 (0.31-3.21). Statistically significant differences (P ≤ 0.05) between genotype and allele frequencies of rs17878486, rs5934997, and rs5933871 were not observed between children with ECC and the controls.

Conclusion: Polymorphisms of AMELX gene did not show a significant association with ECC in this population. However, documentation of genetic data in a global context of ECC may be essential for the future.