title: A review of paediatric oral biopsies in Turkey.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the site and prevalence of oral lesions and the age and gender of a paediatric population in Turkey.
  
  
  METHODS
  A review of the archives of pathology departments.
  
  
  METHODS
  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).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  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.
authors.affiliation: Gazi University Faculty of Dentistry Department of Oral Pathology, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Sibel Elif
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Gültelkin
authors.forename: Benay
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Tokman
authors.forename: Mahiye Reyhan
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Türkseven
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D001706:Biopsy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003560:Cysts / Q000453:epidemiology; D003818:Dentition, Mixed; D005260:Female; D005882:Gingival Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008047:Lip Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008336:Mandibular Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology; D008439:Maxillary Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology; D009059:Mouth Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology; D009807:Odontogenic Cysts / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012737:Sex Factors; D013280:Stomatitis / Q000453:epidemiology; D014421:Turkey / Q000453:epidemiology