Oral health status and microbial load of in children with Cerebral palsy in a tertiary care hospital in Delhi.

Background: Cerebral palsy (CP) is a childhood debilitating condition which impairs the physical and mental ability of an individual to maintain oral health.

Aim: The objective of the present study was assessment of dental neglect and burden of treatment needs of children affected with CP as compared to normal children in a tertiary care hospital in Delhi.

Settings And Design: A sample size of 104 children of age group of 6-14 years was selected, in which 52 children of CP (case group) and 52 normal school children (control group) were recruited.

Materials And Methods: Children from both groups were examined, and calculation of drug master files (DMFS), defs, oral hygiene index (OHI), and gingival index was done. The presence of trauma and malocclusion was assessed. Present caries activity was assessed by the level of Streptococcus mutans present in saliva in both groups. Treatment needs were then assessed based on intraoral findings.

Statistical Analysis: Data were analyzed by SPSS 20.0 software. Student's t-test and nonparametric statistical tests such as Chi-square test and Mann-Whitney test were used as per the nature of variables studied for statistical analysis with the level of significance denoted at P < 0.05.

Results: The mean DMFS, gingival index, OHI, and treatment needs were observed to be higher in the CP group. Increased S. mutans levels were observed in saliva of CP patients. Defs score, trauma, and malocclusion were not statistically significantly higher in CP group as compared to the control group.

Conclusion: Cerebral palsy group had a poor oral and gingival health, a higher DMFT and burden of treatment needs and an increased risk of further caries progression due to high caries activity indicated by increased level of salivary Streptococcus mutans than the control group.