Dental caries and mean values of DMFT among children with cerebral palsy: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Sefineh Fenta Feleke, Natnael Moges, Yenealem Solomon Kebede, Natnael Amare Tesfa, Gizachew Ambaw Kassie, Mengesha Assefa Ahunie, Ermias Sisay Chanie, Berihun Bantie, Anteneh Mengist Dessie, Melkamu Aderajew Zemene, Mohammed Abdu Seid, Denekew Tenaw Anley, Molalegn Mesele Gesese, Wubet Alebachew Bayih, Getachew Asmare Adella, Natnael Atnafu Gebeyehu, Misganaw Asmamaw Mengstie, Tadesse Asmamaw Dejenie, Endeshaw Chekol Abebe

Journal: BMC oral health 2024;24(1):241

PMID: 38360629

Free Full Text on BioMed Central View on PubMed

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

One of the most prevalent causes of physical disability in children is cerebral palsy (CP), which is a series of complicated neurological disorders. Children with cerebral palsy suffer from multiple problems and potential disabilities, including dental caries. Hence, this study aimed to determine the pooled prevalence of dental caries and mean DMFT (Decayed, Missed, and Filled Permanent Teeth) among children with cerebral palsy in Africa and Asia.

METHODS

A comprehensive search of the literature was made to locate relevant studies in PubMed/Medline, HINARI, Web of Science, Science Direct, the Cochrane Library, the Worldwide Science Database, and Google Scholar. The data were extracted in Microsoft Excel and transferred to Stata version 17 software for further analysis. A random-effect model was employed to estimate the pooled prevalence of dental caries and the pooled mean value of DMFT among children with cerebral palsy in Africa and Asia. Heterogeneity between studies was checked using the Cochrane Q test and I test statistics. Sub-group analysis by continent was done, and sensitivity analysis was checked. A small study effect was checked using Egger's statistical test at the 5% level of significance.

RESULTS

In this study, 25 original studies conducted in 17 countries in Africa and Asia that fulfilled the eligibility criteria were included in the review. The overall pooled prevalence of dental caries in Africa and Asia among children with cerebral palsy was 55.6% (95% CI: 42.4, 68.8). The pooled prevalence of dental caries among children with cerebral palsy in Africa was 42.43% (95% CI: 30.39, 54.58), and it was slightly higher in Asia with 64% (95% CI: 48.32, 79.72). In the random effect model analysis, the pooled mean DMFT of dental caries in children with cerebral palsy was 2.25 (95% CI: 1.86, 2.64). The pooled mean DMFT in Africa was 1.47 (95% CI: 0.86, 2.09), and in Asia it was 3.01 (95% CI: 2.43, 3.60).

CONCLUSION

In this study, we found that children with cerebral palsy experienced an alarming rate of dental caries. In these settings, dental caries affected roughly more than half of the children with cerebral palsy. Hence, oral health promotion initiatives should target children with CP, and this group of children must receive early preventive dental care.

Address: Department of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Debre Tabor University, Debre Tabor, Ethiopia. [email protected].; Department of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Debre Tabor University, Debre Tabor, Ethiopia.; Department of Midwifery, College of Medicine and Health Science, Wolaita Sodo University, Wolaita Sodo, Ethiopia.; Department of Reproductive Health and Nutrition, School of Public Health, Woliata Sodo University, Wolaita Sodo, Ethiopia.; Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Woliata Sodo University, Wolaita Sodo, Ethiopia.; Department of Biochemistry, College of Health Sciences, Debre Tabor University, Debre Tabor, Ethiopia.; Unit of Physiology, Department of Biomedical Science, College of Health Science, Debre Tabor University, Debre Tabor, Ethiopia.; School of Medicine, College of Health Science, Woldia University, Woldia, Ethiopia.; Department of Medical Laboratory Science, College of Health Sciences, Debre Tabor University, Debre Tabor, Ethiopia.; Department of Pediatrics and Child Health Nursing, College of Health sciences, Debre Tabor University, Debre Tabor, Ethiopia.; Department of Comprehensive Nursing, College of Health Sciences, Debre Tabor University, Debre Tabor, Ethiopia.; Department of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Woldia University, Woldia, Ethiopia.; Department of Medical Biochemistry, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia.; Department of Maternal and neonatal Health Nursing, College of Health Sciences, Department of Epidemiology and preventive Medicine, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Debre Tabor University, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.

DOI: 10.1186/s12903-024-03985-5

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Free resources

Full Text Sources:

Medical:

https://medlineplus.gov/cerebralpalsy.html

Miscellaneous:

https://assays.cancer.gov/CPTAC-660

MeSH Terms: Humans, Cerebral Palsy, Dental Caries, DMF Index, Child, Prevalence, Asia, Africa