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 <i>LTF</i> 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.