title: Oral findings and dental care in a patient with myelomeningocele: case report of a 3-year-old child.
abstract: Myelomeningocele (MMC) is a congenital malformation of the neural tube that occurs in the first weeks of pregnancy. This malformation refers to the caudal non-closure of the neural tube and neural tissue exposure, which lead to neurological problems, such as hydrocephalus, motor disability, genitourinary tract and skeletal abnormalities and mental retardation. Patients with MMC have an acknowledged predisposition to latex allergy and are usually at a high caries risk and activity due to poor oral hygiene, fermentable carbon hydrate-rich diet and prolonged use of sugar-containing medications. This paper addresses the common oral findings in pediatric patients with MMC, discusses the strategies and precautions to deal with these individuals and reports the dental care to a young child diagnosed with this condition.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Clinic, Preventive and Community Dentistry, Ribeirão Preto Dental School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil. amqueiroz@forp.usp.br
authors.forename: Alexandra Mussolino
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: de Queiroz
authors.forename: Regina Aparecida Segatto
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Saiani
authors.forename: Cristhiane Ristum Bagatin
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Rossi
authors.forename: Jaciara Miranda
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Gomes-Silva
authors.forename: Paulo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Nelson-Filho
mesh_terms: D002675:Child, Preschool; D003730:Dental Care for Persons with Disabilities / Q000379:methods*; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D016640:Diabetes, Gestational; D005260:Female; D005494:Folic Acid Deficiency / Q000150:complications*; D005891:Gingivitis / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D006849:Hydrocephalus / Q000150:complications; D008591:Meningomyelocele / Q000150:complications*; D024343:Open Bite / Q000209:etiology; D011247:Pregnancy; D014071:Tooth Abnormalities / Q000209:etiology*