PREVALENCE OF PERIODONTAL DISEASES IN CHILDREN WITH DOWN SYNDROME

Abstract

Down syndrome – trisomy of 21 chromosome is the most common chromosome anomaly, which affects children worldwide. The aim of this study is to compare the distribution of periodontal disease among Down syndrome children and healthy children. 60 children and adolescents with Down syndrome and 60 healthy children were examined in the same age group. Plaque index (PI) (Silness&Loe), probing depth (PD) were registered. The plaque index of children with Down syndrome under 6 years is 0.81. For the children between 6-11 years, this index is 1.4 and for the third group it is 1,8. For the healthy children the values of the PI are: under 6 years – 0.9; between 6-11 – 1.2; between 11-15 – 2.2. The measured pocket depths of the children with DS for the three examined are as follows: under 6 years – 3.5; between 6-11 – 4.1; between 11-15 – 4.7. For the healthy children the values of the PPD are: under 6 years – 2.6; between 6-11 – 3.3; between 11-15 – 3.0. Conclusion: There are more frequent periodontal problems for Down syndrome children, which does not correspond with the level of their oral hygiene.

Keywords

• periodontal disease
• down syndrome
• children