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Published on: December 31, 2017

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Oral health comparison between children with neutropenia and healthy controls

Michael S Park1, Howard C Tenenbaum, Yigal Dror

  • 1Staff Paediatric Dentist, Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Special Care in Dentistry : Official Publication of the American Association of Hospital Dentists, the Academy of Dentistry for the Handicapped, and the American Society for Geriatric Dentistry
|January 3, 2014
PubMed

Insights

Pediatric patients with neutropenia reported more mouth sores and bleeding gums. However, clinical examinations revealed no increased risk of oral diseases compared to healthy children.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Dentistry
  • Hematology
  • Oral Medicine

Background:

  • Neutropenia, a condition characterized by low neutrophil counts, can impact overall health.
  • Children with neutropenia often require specialized medical care, including management by a hematologist.
  • The oral health implications for pediatric patients with neutropenia are not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare the oral health status of children with neutropenia to a healthy control group.
  • To identify potential oral health risks associated with neutropenia in pediatric patients.
  • To assess the need for specific dental care protocols for children undergoing hematological treatment.

Main Methods:

  • A cross-sectional study design was employed.
  • Participants included children aged 6-18 with neutropenia and a healthy control group.
  • Data collection involved patient questionnaires and comprehensive dental and radiographic examinations.

Main Results:

  • Neutropenia patients reported significantly higher rates of mouth sores and gum bleeding.
  • The neutropenia group exhibited a significantly lower dmft/t score (decayed, missing, filled teeth).
  • Clinical assessments showed no significant differences in ulcerations, gingival health, periodontal status, or hygiene indicators between groups.

Conclusions:

  • While subjective reports indicate increased oral discomforts like sores and bleeding in children with neutropenia, objective clinical findings do not support an elevated risk for common oral diseases.
  • Pediatric patients actively managed by hematologists for neutropenia may not have a higher prevalence of dental caries or periodontal issues compared to healthy peers.
  • Further research is warranted to explore the nuances of oral health management in this vulnerable pediatric population.

Keywords:
DMFTchildrendmftgingivitisneutropeniaoral healthperiodontal bone lossulceration

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