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Minor physical anomalies including palatal rugae pattern and palatal dimensions in children with sickle cell disease:
Raghavendra M Shetty1,2,3, Aditi Pashine4, Sunaina Shetty5
1Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Dentistry, Ajman University, Ajman, United Arab Emirates.
Insights
Children with sickle cell disease (SCD) exhibit distinct palatal rugae patterns and dimensions, potentially serving as minor physical anomalies. These findings highlight underdeveloped rugae and altered palatal morphology in SCD patients, aiding early diagnosis.
Area of Science:
- Craniofacial morphology
- Genetics and hereditary diseases
- Pediatric dentistry
Background:
- Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a common hereditary hemoglobinopathy.
- SCD can lead to delayed growth, affecting skeletal and craniofacial development.
- Palatal rugae patterns are considered key regulators of palate development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate palatal morphology, rugae patterns, and dimensions in children with SCD.
- To compare these features between children with SCD and healthy controls.
- To evaluate the potential of palatal rugae as minor physical anomalies (MPAs) for SCD.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional case-control study involving 50 children with SCD and 50 healthy children (ages 10-18).
- Dental impressions and casts were used to measure palatal rugae length, shape, and pattern.
- Palatal dimensions (width, height, area) and rugae measurements were recorded.
Main Results:
- Children with SCD had fewer total palatal rugae and fragmentary rugae compared to controls (p < 0.05).
- Palatal depth was significantly increased in the SCD group.
- Palatal area was significantly decreased in the SCD group.
Conclusions:
- Distinctive palatal rugae patterns and dimensions in children with SCD can serve as potential MPAs.
- SCD patients exhibit underdeveloped palatal rugae with a deep, narrow, and small palate.
- Findings may assist in early SCD diagnosis and prevention of malocclusion through orthodontic treatment.
Background:
Sickle cell disease (SCD) is the most common hereditary hemoglobinopathy, which delays growth leading to an altered skeleton and craniofacial pattern. Palatal rugae patterning has been considered the regulator of the development of the palate. The purpose of the research work was to study the morphology of the palate, rugae pattern, and its dimensions in SCD children and compare them with healthy normal children, and to evaluate its role as minor physical anomalies (MPAs).
Methods:
A cross-sectional case-control study was designed as per STROBE guidelines. The sample comprised 50 children diagnosed with sickle cell disease (Group SCD) and 50 normal healthy children as control (Group C) belonging to the same age group (10-18 years). Dental impressions were made, followed by the pouring of dental casts. The length of the palatal rugae was measured and categorized into primary (>5 mm), secondary (3 mm-5 mm), and fragmentary rugae (<3 mm). The shape of each primary palatal rugae was identified and categorized as curved, wavy, straight, circular and non-specific. Linear and angular measurements of the palatal rugae patterns and palatal dimensions (width, height, area) were measured and recorded.
Results:
The total number of palatal rugae and fragmentary rugae was lesser in Group SCD than in Group C (p < 0.05). The depth of the palate was significantly increased, whereas the area of the palate significantly decreased in Group SCD.
Conclusions:
The children with SCD showed distinctive palatal rugae patterns and dimensions when compared with normal healthy children that can be attributed as potential MPAs for sickle cell disease. Children with SCD had an under-developed palatal rugae pattern with a deep, narrow and small palate when compared to healthy children.The dimensions of the palatal rugae pattern in SCD showed reduced distance between the incisive papilla and the first and last rugae, indicating a further decrease in the anteroposterior dimensions of the palate. These findings may aid in the early diagnosis and prevention of malocclusion in children with SCD by appropriate interceptive orthodontic treatment.
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