Incidence and Prevalence of Head and Neck Pathological Spectrum in a Pediatric Population

The aim of this study is to determine the frequency of pediatric pathologies and their distribution according to age, gender, site and types of lesions reported over a period of 2004 - 2019 in two prominent Dental Colleges at Western UP, India.

All the cases of pediatric pathology were retrospectively analyzed and reviewed that reported in the Department of Oral And Maxillofacial Surgery of 2 prominent dental colleges of Western UP, India. All consecutive patients (< 18 years), between 2004 to 2019, histologically diagnosed as having an intraosseous tumor or tumor-like lesions and cystic lesion, vascular lesions, patients with space infections and hardware infection formed the study population. Patients fulfilling the inclusion criteria were only considered for further study. The study was granted an exemption by the institutes. The entire study material was analyzed and grouped into prominent categories for logical conclusions: The accumulated data was grouped, entered, and analyzed.

One hundred two cases fulfilled the criteria. Gender distribution was equal, with mandible predominance and a predominance of non-odontogenic lesions. There were 4 malignant and 57 benign conditions. There were 23 lesions in the anterior jaw and 38 lesions were present in the posterior jaw.

The pattern of pediatric pathology presentation from this part of India has been documented. In this study, the pediatric jaw tumors are less common compared to those in adult jaw tumors with non-odontogenic tumors being more common.