Evaluation of Orofacial Manifestations in 50 Thalassemic Patients: A Clinical Study

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Thaaassemia has been reported as a high prevalence genetic disorder with some oromaxillofacial complications. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of oromaxillofacial disorders in thalassemia patients and to detect the presence of any correlation between the orofacial manifestations and the hematological picture/systemic findings. Materials and Methods: A total of 50 thalassemic, 36 with thalassemia major and 14 with thalassemia minor were selected from the hematology Department of Lokmanya Tilak Medical College and Government (LTMG) Hospital, Sion, Mumbai. Results: The most prominent features included. skull bossing seen in 74% of the patients hypertelorism, depressed bridge of the nose, prominent malar bones, pallor of oral mucosa, gingival pigmentation and proclination of teeth. Splenomegaly, hepatomegaly and cardiovascular changes were also commonly seen. The blood picture showed for a low mean Hb value of 6.63 gm/dl. Microcytosis, anisocytosis, hypochromasia and poikilocytosis was seen in the blood smear. Hemoglobin electrophoresis patterns revealed raise HbF and HbA2 levels. Conclusions: This study showed that about 84% (42 cases) of all patients under consideration showed changes in oral and maxillofacial complications including upper and lower jaw protrusion. Saddle nose, space between anterior teeth, anterior teeth protrusion and frontal bossing. It was noted that the severity of orofacial manifestations increased with a decline in the systemic health and a deterioration in the blood picture. Also, it was revealed that the rate of prevalence for oral and maxillofacial complications decreases when patients receive blood at younger ages.

Keywords

• Thalassemia
• Maxillofacial abnormalities