Assessment of the developmental defects of the enamel in children and adolescents with sickle cell disease: A comparative study

Abstract

Background: Sickle cell disease (SCD) is the most important hemoglobinopathy in terms of frequency and social impact and can affect the stomatognathic system.

Aim: To assess and compare the developmental defects of the enamel (DDE) in children and adolescents with and without SCD.

Design: This was a cross-sectional, analytical, and comparative study of 210 children and adolescents aged 5-18 years, who visited the Hematology and Hemotherapy Hospital of Pernambuco.

Results: Developmental defects of the enamel were observed in 55.2% of the SCD patients and 35.2% of the non-SCD patients (healthy group; p < .05). In the SCD group, DDE were more common in females than in males (69.1% vs. 40.0%; p < .05). The incidence of DDE in the permanent teeth was higher in the upper arch than in the lower arch (SCD group, 13.1% vs. 4.6%; healthy group, 8.9% vs. 3.6%; p < .05).

Conclusion: Compared with the healthy group, the SCD patients were almost twice as likely to develop DDE, mostly affecting females and the permanent teeth. These findings suggest that individuals with SCD need early dental care to avoid future oral problems.

Keywords: adolescent; child; sickle cell disease; tooth demineralization.