Assessment of growth & development, dental caries, and dental development in children with congenital heart disease

Background: Congenital heart disease (CHD) may affect children’s growth and development, as well as dental health. Although oral conditions in children with CHD have been studied, the impact of CHD on dental development and dental age (DA) remains limited. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between growth-development, dental caries, and dental age in children with CHD and compare them with healthy children. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 108 children diagnosed with CHD and 111 healthy controls. s. Chronological age (CA) was calculated from clinical records. DA was estimated using Cameriere’s European formula based on digital panoramic radiographs. Clinical data including plaque index (PI) and dental caries indices (dmft/dft/DMFT) were collected. Statistical analyses included Mann-Whitney U and Spearman correlation tests (α = 0.05). Results: There was no significant difference in CA or dental caries scores between groups (p > 0.05), but PI scores were significantly higher in the CHD group (p < 0.001). The mean DA in the CHD group (9.2 ± 2.5) compared to controls (10.1 ± 2.5) (p = 0.009). No significant difference was found in DA between cyanotic and acyanotic CHD types. Conclusions: Children with CHD showed delayed dental age despite having similar chronological age, BMI, and dental caries scores compared to healthy peers. CHD should be considered a potential factor in assessing dental development, especially in the context of growth and systemic disease.

Congenital heart disease; Dental age; Growth & development

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