title: Prevalence of dentofacial abnormalities in children and adolescents with β-thalassaemia major.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  β-thalassaemia major is a hereditary hemolytic anemia and the patients often experience growth retardation, protrusive maxilla, and depressed nasal bride leading to various degrees of malocclusion.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this investigation is to find the prevalence of dentofacial abnormalities in β-thalassaemia major patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  Seventy-two patients between 6 and 18 years of age diagnosed with β-thalassaemia major were examined for extraoral abnormalities, malocclusion, oral hygiene, and dental caries. Data obtained were tabulated and statistically analyzed using Chi-square and paired t-test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Thirty-nine (54.2%) were males and 33 (45.8%) were females. Prominent extraoral abnormalities were found in 41 (56.9%) of the individuals. Study population predominantly had class I occlusion (59.7%) followed by class II occlusion (23.6%) and no class III occlusion. Mean oral hygiene index-simplified score was 2.43 ± 1.24, mean decayed missing filled teeth (DMFT) score was 7.10 ± 3.92, and deft was 5.68 ± 3.12.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Despite starting regular blood transfusion at an early age, β-thalassaemia major patients showed marked facial abnormalities. When compared with individuals with no systemic disease, oral hygiene status was similar, but the caries experience was higher in β-thalassaemia major patients. Therefore, emphasis to educate these patients in the prevention and control of dental caries and maintenance of good oral hygiene should be considered.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry, Ragas Dental College and Hospital, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.
authors.forename: Arun
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Elangovan
authors.forename: Jayanthi
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mungara
authors.forename: Elizabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Joseph
authors.forename: Vignesh
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Guptha
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005145:Face / Q000002:abnormalities*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D014071:Tooth Abnormalities / Q000150:complications*; D017086:beta-Thalassemia / Q000150:complications*