title: Phenytoin-induced severe gingival overgrowth in a child.
abstract: Gingival enlargement or overgrowth (GO) is a common complication of the anticonvulsant drug phenytoin (PHT). GO is evident in almost half of the patients receiving PHT therapy. PHT-induced gingival overgrowth (PGO) is more common in children than in adults and affects both males and females equally. PGO may vary from mild to severe and does not seem to be dose dependant. It is supposed that PHT and its metabolites cause a direct effect on the periodontal tissues; however, poor oral hygiene may contribute to the severity of gingival inflammation in patients with PGO. Management of PGO includes meticulous oral hygiene practice to reduce inflammation and surgical excision of the overgrown tissue, known as gingivectomy. We present a case of PHT-induced severe GO in a 10-year-old boy and discuss the clinical features, aetiology, pathogenesis and management of PGO.
authors: Department of Paediatric and Preventive Dentistry, Faculty of Dental Sciences, King George's Medical University, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India.
authors: Rakesh
authors: R
authors: Kumar
authors: Department of Paediatric and Preventive Dentistry, Faculty of Dental Sciences, King George's Medical University, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India.
authors: Rajeev Kumar
authors: RK
authors: Singh
authors: Department of Pathology, King George's Medical University, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India.
authors: Nidhi
authors: N
authors: Verma
authors: Department of Periodontics, Faculty of Dental Sciences, King George's Medical University, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India.
authors: Umesh Pratap
authors: UP
authors: Verma
mesh_terms: D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000188:drug therapy*; D019214:Gingival Overgrowth / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009910:Oral Hygiene; D019647:Oral Surgical Procedures; D010672:Phenytoin / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011862:Radiography, Panoramic
chemical_list: D000927:Anticonvulsants; D010672:Phenytoin