Oral Health Status of Children Undergoing Hemodialysis and Kidney Transplantation in Mansoura City, Egypt

Abstract

Purpose: Evaluation of oral health status in children undergoing hemodialysis sessions and kidney transplantation and compared them with healthy children. Materials and Methods: This descriptive study was conducted on 250 children aged 6-18 years old (100 children undergoing hemodialysis, 50 children undergoing kidney transplantation and 100 healthy children as a control group). The oral health status was evaluated regarding to caries experience, gingivitis using PMA index, developmental defects using modified DDE index. Un-stimulated salivary flow rate and pH were also measured. Results: caries experience was significantly lower in both chronic kidney disease (CKD) groups compared to control group. Median PMA was significantly higher in hemodialysis and in transplantation groups compared to control group. The prevalence of developmental enamel defects was 41% in hemodialysis group and 58% in transplantation group compared to 11% in control group (P-value < 0.001). Regarding to saliva analysis, the flow rate was higher among healthy children while the salivary PH was higher among children with CKD. Conclusions: chronic kidney disease may decrease caries experience, increase gingival inflammation, in addition to increase prevalence of developmental defects. Furthermore, children with chronic kidney disease have lower salivary flow rate and higher buffering capacity than healthy children.