Oral hygiene and periodontal status in children and adolescents with Down syndrome

Background. Down syndrome, the most common chromosomal aberration, is a congenital disorder caused by having an extra 21st chromosome. Dysmorphic features and characteristic systemic defects are accompanied by mental disability of varying degree. Malocclusions, disproportion between the development of masticatory system and the tongue, abnormal respiratory tract, poor oral hygiene, and reduced salivary secretion contribute to the development of periodontal diseases in patients with Down syndrome. Aim. The aim of the study was to assess oral hygiene and gingival health status in children and adolescents with Down syndrome compared to generally healthy subjects. Materials and methods. The study included 150 subjects of both genders, aged between 5 and 21 years. The research group comprised of children and adolescents with Down syndrome (n = 75) and a control group with generally healthy individuals (n = 75). Oral hygiene status was assessed using the oral Hygiene Index -Simplified (OHI-S) and the Aproximal Aproximal Plaque Index (API). Periodontal status was assessed using the Gingival Index (GI) and the Sulcus Bleeding Index (SBI). Results. The prevalence of periodontitis among patients with Down syndrome reached 100%. GI and SBI values were significantly higher in Down syndrome group compared to control group (0.90 ± 0.56 vs . 0.39 ± 0.53; 70.99% ± 27.65% vs 26.69% ± 34.94%, respectively; p < 0.001). OHI-S and API values were also significantly higher in Down syndrome patients compared to healthy individuals (1.68 ± 0.68 vs 1.32 ± 0.76, p < 0.01; 86.66% ± 17.78 vs 66.34% ± 34.33, p < 0.001). Conclusions. Patients with Down syndrome had significantly poorer oral hygiene and worse periodontal health status compared to healthy individuals.