Oral health in children with cerebral palsy: A systematic review and meta‐analysis

Abstract

Aims Aim of the present systematic review and meta‐analysis is to investigate the oral health status of children with cerebral palsy and to compare it to that of healthy children. Methods and results An electronic search extended to October 2019 was conducted on PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science and Cochrane Library. Two independent reviewers selected publications using a two‐stage process; data were extracted according to PRISMA statement. The Newcastle Ottawa Scale was used to evaluate the risk of bias in individual studies. After screening of the 5460 studies selected 20 publications were included in the systematic review, 15 underwent quantitative analysis. In the palsy population statistical analysis showed an OR = 1.45 (95% CI: 1.05‐2.00) for dental caries in the primary dentition and OR = 1.87 (95% CI: 1.07‐3.24) for the simplified oral hygiene index. The OR of Angle's Class II and anterior open bite were 3.27 (95% CI: 1.22‐8.81) and 14.06 (95% CI: 6.26‐31.62), respectively. Conclusion Children with cerebral palsy seem to present an increased risk of dental caries in the primary dentition, of Angle's Class II malocclusion, anterior open bite and a lower gingival status.

Bibliometric analysis of cerebral palsy and oral health in PubMed (1956-2021)

“…Only one systematic review and meta-analysis was found, including 15 articles, which investigated the health of children with cerebral palsy compared to healthy children. A correlation was observed between cerebral palsy and dental caries in primary dentition, gingival status, Angle's Class II malocclusion and anterior open bite (Bensi et al 2020).…”

The Impact of Oral-Gut Inflammation in Cerebral Palsy

“…Other side effects co-occurring with gastrointestinal complications include oral dysbiosis, gingival bleeding (GB), and an increase of systemic inflammation (15). GB is found at a high frequency that may be due to the same factors that predispose to tooth decay and lead to the accumulation of biofilm (16). Difficulties in performing daily oral hygiene, intraoral sensitivity and orofacial motor dysfunction are the main contributing factors (17).…”

Caries prevalence using ICDAS visual criteria and risk assessment in children and adolescents with cerebral palsy: A comparative study

“…8,11,13 The results of a recent meta-analysis showed that children with CP have a greater prevalence of dental caries in primary teeth and worse simplified oral hygiene index. 5 The condition of CP, by itself, does not predispose patients to dental caries. [6][7][8][9]11,18 However, socioeconomic and cultural factors influence the occurrence of these diseases, such as negligence in controlling the intake of cariogenic food and inadequate oral hygiene.…”

“…4 A recent systematic review with meta-analysis suggested a higher incidence of caries in primary dentition in children with CP than in those with normoactive (NA) dentition. 5 The risk factors for the development of carious lesions in individuals with CP include spastic disorder, 6 continuous use of antiepileptic drugs that cause a reduction in salivary flow, 7 and a reduction in the buffering capacity of saliva, and changes in the composition and salivary osmolality. 8 The reduction in water intake due to oral motor impairment has serious repercussions on the protective role of saliva.…”