Evaluation of Enamel Surface Staining from Iron Supplements on Primary Teeth: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Year: 2026
Type: review
Abstract: According to the report from the World Health Organization (WHO), in 2023, the prevalence of anemia in women aged 15-49 years was 30.7%, while that for pregnant women was 35.5% and for nonpregnant women was 30.5%.Anemia remains a major public health problem worldwide, with the target to reduce it by 50% among females of reproductive age now shifted from 2025 to 2030.In 2019, children were also greatly affected, at 39.8%, between the ages of 6 and 59 months.1,2 Oral iron supplementation is a cornerstone of preventive and therapeutic programs recommended by the WHO and pediatric health agencies.3,4 However, despite its clinical efficacy, iron formulations, especially liquid ferrous salts prescribed for infants and young children, have been associated with tooth discoloration and undesirable surface staining of enamel.5,6 Such esthetic concerns may reduce parental compliance with long-term supplementation and thus compromise the intended nutritional benefit.7,8 Iron-induced enamel discoloration occurs due to the physicochemical interaction between ferrous ions and the organic pellicle or the porous surface of enamel.9 The iron binds to the sulfhydryl and carboxyl groups in salivary proteins, forming
Language: English
Topic: Dental Erosion and Treatment
Subfield: General Dentistry
Field: Dentistry
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W7220833285