Oral findings and dental treatment in a child with West syndrome

Spec Care Dentist. 2009 Nov-Dec;29(6):259-63. doi: 10.1111/j.1754-4505.2009.00106.x.

Abstract

West syndrome (WS) is a rare, severe form of epilepsy that typically manifests early in infancy. It is considered a malignant condition that combines episodes of spasms that occur in clusters (infantile spasm), hypsarrhythmia on the electroencephalogram, and neuropsychomotor delay. Although WS has been widely investigated from a medical standpoint, few reports have focused on the oral findings in patients with this syndrome. This article reports the case history of a 7-year-old child diagnosed with WS. The major clinical features were generalized tooth wear and gingival enlargement, altered chronology and sequence of dental eruption, primary canine cusp-to-cusp relationship, ectopic dental eruption, and mildly arched palate. Multiple white spot lesions were also observed, possibly associated with poor oral hygiene, due to a fermentable carbohydrate-rich diet, and continuous use of sugar-containing medications. Dental care management of patients with special needs is discussed and the dental treatment for this child with WS is described.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Child
  • Dental Care for Disabled*
  • Dental Caries / prevention & control
  • Dental Restoration, Permanent
  • Female
  • Gingival Overgrowth / etiology
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Spasms, Infantile* / complications
  • Syndrome
  • Tooth Eruption
  • Tooth Eruption, Ectopic / etiology
  • Tooth Wear / etiology