Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 5, 2026
Oral Biofilm Sampling for Microbiome Analysis in Healthy Children
Published on: December 31, 2017
Periodontal status of children with primary immunodeficiencies: a systematic review
1Centre for Immunobiology and Regenerative Medicine,Centre for Oral Clinical Research, Institute of Dentistry, Queen Mary University London (QMUL), London, UK.
Insights
Children with primary immunodeficiencies (PIDs) often develop severe periodontitis. Conventional dental treatments show limited success, with better stabilization seen in severe congenital neutropenia (SCN) cases.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Dentistry
- Immunology
- Periodontology
Background:
- Primary immunodeficiencies (PIDs) can impact oral health.
- Periodontal disease is a significant concern in affected children.
- Neutrophil-associated PIDs present unique challenges.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review literature on periodontal disease in children with neutrophil-associated PIDs.
- To analyze clinical manifestations and treatment outcomes.
- To identify variations in disease presentation and stability across different PIDs.
Main Methods:
- Comprehensive literature search using a PRESS-validated strategy across multiple databases.
- Inclusion of 118 articles reporting on 160 PID patients.
- Qualitative analysis and assessment of methodological quality and risk of bias.
Main Results:
- Periodontal disease in PID patients includes poor hygiene, bone loss, inflammation, deep pockets, mobility, and recession.
- Common treatments involved scaling, root planing, and extractions.
- Periodontal stabilization varied: 61% in severe congenital neutropenia (SCN) vs. <43% in other PIDs.
Conclusions:
- Patients with PIDs are susceptible to severe periodontitis.
- Conventional periodontal treatments offer limited benefits for these patients.
- Disease stabilization is PID-specific, with SCN showing better outcomes.
Objective:
The aim of this systematic review was to appraise the existing literature on periodontal disease in children affected by different types of neutrophil-associated primary immunodeficiencies (PIDs).
Methods:
A PRESS-validated search strategy was developed to search through databases MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, LILACS, Google Scholar and Open Grey. All included studies were assessed for methodological quality and risk of bias.
Results:
One hundred eighteen articles reporting on 160 PID patients were included for qualitative analysis. The majority (70%) were individual case reports. Clinical and radiographic manifestations of the periodontal disease included poor oral hygiene, generalised alveolar bone loss, severe gingival inflammation, increased pocket depths, tooth mobility and gingival recession. For most studies, the primary intervention was periodontal treatment in the form of scaling and root planing or dental extractions. Stabilisation of the periodontal condition varied between different PIDs. In severe congenital neutropenia (SCN), 61% of cases reported stabilisation of the periodontal condition, while for all other PIDs, 'stability' was reported in less than 43% of cases.
Conclusion:
The published literature suggests that patients with PIDs can present with severe periodontitis and that conventional treatment approaches have limited benefits.
