Oral findings and dental care in a patient with myelomeningocele: case report of a 3-year-old child

Alexandra Mussolino De Queiroz,Regina Aparecida Segatto Saiani,Cristhiane Ristum Bagatin Rossi,Jaciara Miranda Gomes-Silva,Paulo Nelson-Filho

doi:10.1590/s0103-64402009000500014

Alexandra Mussolino De Queiroz, Regina Aparecida Segatto Saiani + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1590/s0103-64402009000500014

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Journal: Brazilian dental journal	Publication Date: Jan 1, 2009
Citations: 5	License type: cc-by

Affiliation: Universidade de São Paulo

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.

Highlights

Neural tube defects (NTD) are malformations that occur within the early phases of fetal development, involving the primary structure that will originate the brain and the spinal cord [1]
This paper addresses the common oral findings in pediatric patients with MMC, discusses the strategies and precautions to deal with them and reports the dental care to a young child diagnosed with this condition
Children with severe NTD, such as MMC, are prime candidates for childhood dental caries because of multiple factors. Their neurological impairment can make dental care challenging, which is further complicated by a frequently poor oral hygiene and nutritional intake. Many of these children tend to be overweight, which can be due to frequent snacking and impaired mobility due to the nature of their disability [10,13]

Summary

Introduction

Neural tube defects (NTD) are malformations that occur within the early phases of fetal development, involving the primary structure that will originate the brain and the spinal cord [1]. Children with NTD are at high caries risk due to a deficient diet, poor oral hygiene and prolonged use of sugar-containing oral medicines. Dental care of special needs patients is usually complicated due to a combination of factors that might include uncontrolled involuntary body movements, lack of motor ability, intellectual deficit and difficult to open the mouth or inability to maintain a sufficient interincisal space to permit adequate hygiene or treatment [10].

Results

Conclusion