Gingivitis in children with malnutrition.
The purpose of the current study was to compare the prevalence and severity of gingivitis and plaque among 291 well- and malnourished children between the ages of 4 to 7 years. Using the National Center for Health Statistics criteria, the children were identified as normal (well nourished), having a height-of-age > 95% of standard. Selected primary teeth of each child were assessed using the Plaque Index (PlI) and the Modified Gingival Index (MGI). The results demonstrated a 100% prevalence of plaque and gingivitis. Also, there was no significant difference in the PlI and MGI in the well-nourished and malnourished groups, nor between males and females. However, there was a trend in the well-nourished group to less plaque and gingivitis when broken down into different stature-by-age percentiles.
Abrams
R G
RG
Pediatric Denstistry Department, Baltimore College of Dental Surgery Dental School, University of Maryland, 21201-1586, USA.
Romberg
E
E
D002648:Child; D015362:Child Nutrition Disorders / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003774:Dental Plaque Index; D005260:Female; D005891:Gingivitis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010512:Periodontal Index; D010568:Peru / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence