Comparative Evaluation of Oral Health Status in Children with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

N S Venkatesh Babu; B S Kavyashree

N S Venkatesh Babu Professor & Head, Department of Pediatric and Preventive Dentistry
B S Kavyashree Post Graduate Student, Department of Pediatric and Preventive Dentistry

Keywords: Acute lymphoblastic leukemia, Children, Dental caries, Gingival status, Oral hygiene status

Abstract

Introduction: Leukemia is the most common childhood malignancies characterized by an excessive proliferation of immature
white blood cells and their precursors. Oral complications due to chemotherapy or radiotherapy include increased incidence of
dental caries, gingival and periodontal disease, candidiasis, oral mucositis.
Aim: The aim was to evaluate oral health status (OHS) of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and to compare OHS with
healthy children.
Method: A total of 60 children of both sexes in the age group of 2-14 years in which 30 healthy children and 30 diagnosed
children with ALL were selected for the study. The oral cavity was examined for dental caries using def-t and decay-missing-fi lled
teeth (DMF-T) indices, gingival status by using the modifi ed gingival index, oral hygiene by using “oral hygiene index-simplifi ed
(OHI-S).” Results of the study were statistically evaluated.
Results: Statistical analysis was performed by using unpaired t-test. The mean gingival index in ALL was found to be 1.59 as
compared to 0.079 in the control group. About 13% with severe gingivitis and 80% with moderate gingivitis in ALL group when
compared to the control group with 3% moderate gingivitis and 26% mild gingivitis. The mean OHI-S value of ALL was found
to be 2.29 compared with 0.82 in the control group. 20% of ALL group was found with poor oral hygiene. The deft of 76% and
DMFT of 46% in ALL group when compared with deft of 66% and DMFT of 13% in the control group. The mean DMFT value
of ALL was found to be 5.28 as compared to 1.97 in the control group.
Conclusion: The gingival index, OHI, DMFT index were signifi cantly higher in the ALL group compared to healthy children.

Author Biographies

N S Venkatesh Babu, Professor & Head, Department of Pediatric and Preventive Dentistry

Vokkaligara Sangha Dental College and Hospital, Bangalore, Karnataka, India

B S Kavyashree, Post Graduate Student, Department of Pediatric and Preventive Dentistry

Vokkaligara Sangha Dental College and Hospital, Bangalore, Karnataka, India

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