Oral Health Status among Children with Repaired Esophageal Atresia

Esophageal atresia (EA) is a congenital anomaly, presenting multifactorial etiology. Swallowing problems and gastroesophageal reflux disease may accompany EA, which have adverse effects on oral health.

In this descriptive study, intraoral examination of the children with repaired EA and of the dental patients without systemic/chronic disease was performed. Dental caries, dental erosion, and halitosis status were evaluated using the International Caries Detection and Evaluation System II, and the Basic Erosive Wear Examination indices as well as the Halimeter, respectively.

There were 19 (n = 12 male; n = 7 female) case subjects and 16 (n = 10 male; n = 6 female) control subjects whose age ranged between 14 and 72 months. Among cases, 15 children had dental caries (78.9%; initial caries n = 4, moderate caries n = 4, and extensive caries n = 7). Of the controls, 13 had dental caries (81.2%; initial caries n = 5, moderate caries n = 5, and extensive caries n = 3). Although the median scores of decayed, missing, filled teeth (dmft) and decayed, missing, filled surfaces (dmfs)-for primary dentition-were not statistically significantly different between two groups, both dmft and dmfs were found to be higher among the case subjects (p = 0.172 for dmft; p = 0.230 for dmfs). Furthermore, six children with repaired EA had dental abnormalities (in shape, number, or calcification) and six children with repaired EA had dental erosion. The Halimeter measurement was performed for five case children of whom three had oral malodor, and for seven control children of whom two had oral malodor.

Regular dental counseling adopting the multidisciplinary team approach for patients with EA is necessary to ensure better general and oral health.