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Published on: February 2, 2024
Oral health in children with cerebral palsy: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Caterina Bensi1, Micaela Costacurta2, Raffaella Docimo2
1Paediatric Dentistry Post-Graduate School, University of Rome "Tor Vergata,", Rome, Italy.
Insights
Children with cerebral palsy have a higher risk of dental caries and specific malocclusions, including Angle
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Dentistry
- Neurology
- Public Health
Background:
- Cerebral palsy (CP) significantly impacts motor function, potentially affecting oral hygiene and health.
- Understanding the oral health disparities in children with CP is crucial for targeted interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review and meta-analyze the oral health status of children with cerebral palsy.
- To compare the oral health of children with CP to that of their healthy peers.
Main Methods:
- Comprehensive electronic search of major databases (PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Cochrane Library) up to October 2019.
- Two independent reviewers selected studies, with data extraction following the PRISMA statement.
- Newcastle Ottawa Scale used for risk of bias assessment; 20 studies included in review, 15 in quantitative analysis.
Main Results:
- Children with CP showed an increased odds ratio (OR) for dental caries in primary dentition (OR = 1.45) and simplified oral hygiene index (OR = 1.87).
- Significantly higher odds of Angle's Class II malocclusion (OR = 3.27) and anterior open bite (OR = 14.06) were observed in children with CP.
Conclusions:
- Children with cerebral palsy exhibit a greater risk for dental caries in primary dentition.
- Increased prevalence of Angle's Class II malocclusion, anterior open bite, and poorer gingival status are noted in children with CP.
Aims:
Aim of the present systematic review and meta-analysis is to investigate the oral health status of children with cerebral palsy and to compare it to that of healthy children.
Methods And Results:
An electronic search extended to October 2019 was conducted on PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science and Cochrane Library. Two independent reviewers selected publications using a two-stage process; data were extracted according to PRISMA statement. The Newcastle Ottawa Scale was used to evaluate the risk of bias in individual studies. After screening of the 5460 studies selected 20 publications were included in the systematic review, 15 underwent quantitative analysis. In the palsy population statistical analysis showed an OR = 1.45 (95% CI: 1.05-2.00) for dental caries in the primary dentition and OR = 1.87 (95% CI: 1.07-3.24) for the simplified oral hygiene index. The OR of Angle's Class II and anterior open bite were 3.27 (95% CI: 1.22-8.81) and 14.06 (95% CI: 6.26-31.62), respectively.
Conclusion:
Children with cerebral palsy seem to present an increased risk of dental caries in the primary dentition, of Angle's Class II malocclusion, anterior open bite and a lower gingival status.
