Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 17, 2026

Systematic Assessment of Mammalian Skull Specimens for Dental and Temporomandibular Joint Pathology
07:26

Systematic Assessment of Mammalian Skull Specimens for Dental and Temporomandibular Joint Pathology

Published on: August 22, 2022

Physical growth patterns and dental caries in thalassemia

Sunil Gomber1, Pooja Dewan

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, University College of Medical Sciences and Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital, Shahdara, Delhi, India. sunilgomber@hotmail.com

Indian Pediatrics
|January 5, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Growth and dental caries are significant concerns in children with thalassemia. Older children showed poorer physical growth, and those on certain iron chelators had reduced sitting height. Thalassemic children also had a higher prevalence of dental caries.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Hematology
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Thalassemia is a genetic blood disorder requiring lifelong treatment.
  • Growth impairment and dental health issues are common complications in children with thalassemia.
  • Iron overload from frequent blood transfusions necessitates chelation therapy.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the impact of age, ferritin, hemoglobin, and iron chelating agents on physical growth in pediatric thalassemia patients.
  • To determine the prevalence of dental caries in children with thalassemia.
  • To compare growth parameters and dental caries in thalassemic children with controls.

Main Methods:

  • Anthropometric measurements (weight, standing height, sitting height, subischial leg length) were taken from 65 thalassemic children.
  • Mean pre-transfusion hemoglobin and ferritin levels were calculated over two years.
  • Dental caries indices (DMFT, DMFS) were assessed and compared to age-matched controls.

Main Results:

  • Children aged 10 years and older exhibited significantly lower weight, standing height, sitting height, and subischial leg length compared to younger children.
  • Mean hemoglobin and ferritin levels did not significantly influence growth outcomes.
  • Children receiving Desferrioxamine alone or in combination with Deferiprone showed significantly lower sitting height for age compared to those on Deferiprone alone or no chelating agent.
  • Thalassemic children presented with significantly higher rates of dental caries.

Conclusions:

  • Age is a significant factor affecting physical growth in thalassemic children.
  • Specific iron chelating agent regimens may impact sitting height in pediatric thalassemia.
  • Thalassemic children have an increased prevalence of dental caries, highlighting the need for comprehensive care.

More Related Videos

Micro-dissection of Enamel Organ from Mandibular Incisor of Rats Exposed to Environmental Toxicants08:12

Micro-dissection of Enamel Organ from Mandibular Incisor of Rats Exposed to Environmental Toxicants

Published on: March 29, 2018

Related Concept Videos

Teeth01:15

Teeth

The formation of teeth, also known as odontogenesis, is a complex process that begins in utero, around the sixth week of embryonic development. There are three stages to this process: the bud stage, the cap stage, and the bell stage.
In the bud stage, the tooth germ (an aggregation of cells) starts to form in the developing jawbone. During the cap stage, the tooth germ differentiates into enamel organ, dental papilla, and dental sac, which will later develop into the tooth's enamel, dentin and...
Tooth Anatomy01:21

Tooth Anatomy

The human tooth enables us to eat a variety of foods, speak clearly, and even aid in shaping our faces. Teeth are composed of various elements that work together. Here's a detailed look at the anatomy of a human tooth.
The Crown, Neck, and Root
The visible part of the tooth is referred to as the crown. It's covered by enamel, the hardest substance in the human body. The crown is uniquely shaped for each type of tooth, allowing for different functions such as cutting, tearing, or grinding food.
Development of the Oral Microbiota01:28

Development of the Oral Microbiota

The establishment of the oral microbiome begins before birth, challenging the long-held belief that the fetal oral cavity is sterile. The presence of oral microbes such as Streptococcus and Fusobacterium in amniotic fluid suggests that microbial exposure may occur in utero, potentially through translocation from the maternal oral or gastrointestinal tract. This early colonization primes the neonatal immune system and sets the stage for subsequent microbial succession. Maternal health,...
Changes in the Appendicular Skeleton with Age01:09

Changes in the Appendicular Skeleton with Age

The upper and lower limb initially develops as a small bulge called a limb bud, which appears on the lateral side of the early embryo. The upper limb bud appears near the end of the fourth week of development, with the lower limb bud appearing shortly after.
Initially, the limb buds consist of a core of mesenchyme covered by a layer of ectoderm. The ectoderm at the end of the limb bud thickens to form a narrow crest called the apical ectodermal ridge. This ridge stimulates the underlying...