title: Folic acid and phenytoin induced gingival overgrowth--is there a preventive effect.
abstract: The role of folic acid (5mg/day) in combination with oral hygiene measures (group II) vis-a-vis oral hygiene measures alone (group I) in prevention of phenytoin-induced gingival overgrowth was investigated in a one-year follow-up study on sixty, 8-13-year-old epileptic children receiving phenytoin. The allocation of the children to the two groups was done alternately. In these children, at baseline, plaque (Silness & Löe), gingivitis (Löe & Silness) and probing depths of gingival sulcus were recorded. These parameters were re-evaluated at 3-monthly intervals when gingival overgrowth was also recorded (Modified Harris & Ewalt Index). It was seen that, after a period of one year, gingival overgrowth occurred in 60 and 50 percent children of groups I & II respectively and its development, too, was delayed in group II. More cases (93 percent) in group II exhibited minimal overgrowth as against 78 percent in group I. The study concluded that systemic folic acid prescribed along with phenytoin delays the onset and reduces the incidence and severity of gingival overgrowth induced by phenytoin.
authors.affiliation: Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Unit of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry, Chandigarh, India.
authors.forename: V N
authors.initials: VN
authors.lastname: Prasad
authors.forename: H S
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Chawla
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Goyal
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Gauba
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Singhi
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002648:Child; D003773:Dental Plaque / Q000517:prevention & control; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000188:drug therapy; D005492:Folic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D019214:Gingival Overgrowth / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005891:Gingivitis / Q000517:prevention & control; D006397:Hematinics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D009910:Oral Hygiene; D010672:Phenytoin / Q000009:adverse effects*
chemical_list: D000927:Anticonvulsants; D006397:Hematinics; D010672:Phenytoin; D005492:Folic Acid