Oral manifestations in the Graft versus Host Disease in paediatric patients: case report

Graft-versus-Host Disease (GvHD) syndrome is characterized by specific pathologic and immunologic clinical manifestations, induced by the transplantation, in a body with compromised immune system, of immunologically active T lymphocytes belonging to a donor whose genome is different from the recipient. GvHD can be clinically classified into two forms: acute (aGvHD), if it is induced only by the cytotoxic effect of the donor T lymphocytes in host tissues and chronic (cGvHD), when it is caused by a cytotoxic effect associated with severe immunodeficiency.Patients affected by GvHD frequently develop a massive and progressive involvement of the oral mucosa, being so severe to impair normal feeding as well.The Authors hereby introduce a GvHD clinical case in a 12-year-old patient who underwent Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation (HSCT) from a compatible donor, with odonto-stomatological diseases induced by the syndrome. Early diagnosis and a multidisciplinary treatment plan in the initial phases of this complex and dynamic syndrome are key factors to improve the quality of life in these patients.