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[Oromaxillofacial changes in thalassemia major]
D De Mattia1, P L Pettini, V Sabato
1Dipartimento di Biomedicina dell'Età Evolutiva, Università degli Studi, Bari.
Minerva Pediatrica
|January 1, 1996
Summary
Patients with thalassemia major often have poor oral hygiene and significant dental issues, including caries and malocclusion. Transfusion requirements inversely correlate with caries in mixed dentition, suggesting complex interactions.
Area of Science:
- Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
- Pediatric Hematology
- Dental Public Health
Context:
- Thalassemia major, a severe inherited blood disorder, requires frequent blood transfusions and can lead to significant systemic complications.
- Oro-maxillo-facial alterations are common in thalassemia patients due to bone marrow hyperplasia and chronic anemia.
- Oral health management in these patients is crucial but often overlooked.
Purpose:
- To evaluate oro-maxillo-facial alterations in thalassemia major patients.
- To correlate dental health status with transfusion requirements, serum ferritin levels, splenectomy, and age.
- To identify specific oral health challenges and their potential contributing factors.
Summary:
- Sixty thalassemia major patients (ages 6-26) exhibited poor oral hygiene, high caries rates (DMF 5.12±4.76), and malocclusion due to bone marrow hyperplasia.
- Significant findings include jaw enlargement, Angle's class II malocclusion, and a typical facies.
- A significant inverse correlation was found between transfusion requirements and caries in mixed dentition. Splenectomy did not show a direct correlation with caries frequency.
Impact:
- Highlights the critical need for comprehensive oral health care in thalassemia major patients.
- Provides insights into the relationship between hematologic status and dental health, informing multidisciplinary management.
- Suggests that managing transfusion needs may indirectly influence oral health outcomes in this population.