A review of paediatric oral biopsies in Turkey.

Objectives: To determine the site and prevalence of oral lesions and the age and gender of a paediatric population in Turkey.

Design: A review of the archives of pathology departments.

Settings: Six pathology departments in Ankara, Turkey.

Methods: This study presents the findings of 472 oral biopsies from patients, up to 15 years of age, received over an eight-year period. The cases represent 5.5 per cent of the total number of reports examined (8,532). The data were revised and compiled for diagnosis site, age and sex. The patients were divided into three age groups according to dentition periods: primary dentition 0-5 years (Group 1), mixed dentition 6-12 years (Group 2), and permanent dentition 13-15 years (Group 3). The lesions were categorised into five major groups as: 1) reactive and inflammatory lesions 2) neoplastic lesions 3) cystic lesions 4) non-neoplastic lesions 5) dermatologic lesions.

Results: Inflammatory and reactive lesions formed the largest group of diagnoses (49 per cent) followed by neoplasms (36 per cent) and cystic lesions (12 per cent). Approximately 60 per cent of the biopsies were from the second group patients with an almost equal distribution among sexes. The predominant site of the biopsies was gingiva (28 per cent) followed by lips (19.2 per cent).

Conclusion: The majority (49 per cent) of the lesions were in the category of reactive and inflammatory lesions with most occurring in the second age group (6-12 years) that represents mixed dentition. The results of the study suggest that the difficulties in maintaining oral hygiene or the presence of trauma may be the primary factor in mucosal lesions occurring in the mixed dentition period.