Association Between Lactoferrin Gene Polymorphism and Dental Caries in Saudi Children: A Case-Control Study

Objective Lactoferrin (LTF) is a salivary glycoprotein involved in the innate immune defense of the oral cavity. Polymorphisms in the LTF gene have been implicated in oral and systemic diseases, but limited data are available regarding their association with dental caries. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between LTF A/G polymorphism and caries susceptibility in Saudi children. Methods This case-control study included 40 children aged 4-12 years treated at the pediatric dental clinics at King Abdulaziz University (KAU), Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Participants were divided into two groups: caries-free (Decayed, Missing, and Filled Teeth (DMFT) = 0, n = 20) and caries-experienced (DMFT ≥ 1, n = 20). Salivary DNA was extracted and genotyped using polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) analysis. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize demographic and clinical characteristics, while associations between LTF genotypes and caries status were evaluated using the chi-square test. Results A statistically significant association was found between the LTF genotype and dental caries status (χ² = 10.09, p = 0.006). The heterozygous AG genotype was more frequent among children with caries, while the homozygous AA genotype was more prevalent among caries-free participants. Children with the AA genotype had significantly lower odds of having caries compared to those with the AG genotype (odds ratio (OR) = 0.073, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.012-0.431). Conclusion The LTF A/G polymorphism is associated with caries susceptibility in Saudi children. These findings support a potential role for salivary genetic markers in early caries risk assessment, although larger studies are needed for validation.