ORAL MANIFESTATIONS OF PEDIATRIC INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASE

Lupu Diana-Claudia, Dragoș Bogdan Rotaru, Nicoleta Gimiga, Gabriela Ghiga, Gabriela Păduraru, Lorenza Forna, Benchea-Indrei Sabrina-Elena, Laura Mihaela Trandafir

DOI : 10.62610/RJOR.2025.2.17.12

ABSTRACT

The aim of this review was to analyse and discuss the key mucosal, dental, and skin-related symptoms in the oral region linked to pediatric inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The goal was to increase awareness among healthcare professionals and caregivers regarding the unique oral health issues encountered by this group, while underscoring the need for timely intervention. Their early identification and possible relationship with the disease are important for an early diagnosis and an adequate treatment plan. Materials and methods: We performed a systematic search on PubMed and Google Scholar using the keywords ‘oral manifestations’, ‘pediatric patients’, and ‘inflammatory bowel disease’. Only studies published in English and within the last 10 years were included, and only studies published in peer-reviewed journals were considered. Results: Pediatric patients with IBD often present with extra-intestinal manifestations affecting the skin, eyes, joints, and mouth. The oral lesions associated with IBD include recurrent mouth sores, erosions, crater-like ulcers, cheilitis, enlarged warts, atrophic mucositis, and oral mycoses. In many cases, these oral lesions may appear before the onset of gastrointestinal symptoms. Conclusions: The early identification of oral manifestations and their potential link to IBD is crucial for timely diagnosis and the development of an appropriate treatment plan. Interdisciplinary collaboration between dentists, pediatricians, and gastroenterologists is essential for both diagnosis and treatment, helping to improve the patient’s quality of life.