PERIODONTAL CHANGES IN CHILDREN WITH INSULIN-DEPENDENT DIABETES MELLITUS

Burculeț Raoul-Ciprian, Foia Liliana, Botnariu Gina, Adumitroaie Alina, Checheriță Laura, Toma Vasilica

ABSTRACT

Aim of the study The aim of this study was to monitor and assess the periodontal changes in a group of children diagnosed with Insulin-Dependent Diabetes Mellitus (IDDM), by correlating their periodontal status with the level of metabolic control of the disease, in order to highlight the impact of diabetes on oral health during childhood.

Materials and methods The clinical study included two groups of children aged between 4 and 18 years. The control group consisted of 30 healthy patients with no systemic pathologies. The study group comprised 30 children diagnosed with IDDM, under medical supervision in the “Nutrition Disorders” Department of the “Sf. Maria” Emergency Clinical Hospital for Children in Iași. The clinical examination focused on evaluating three periodontal health parameters: the plaque staining index (QH), the gingival inflammation index (GI), the papillary bleeding index (PBI), and the level of clinical attachment loss (CAL). Periodontal diagnosis was performed according to internationally accepted standardized criteria.

Results The results showed significantly increased values of all analyzed indicators in the study group with poorly controlled metabolic IDDM children, compared to the control group. Gingival inflammation was particularly pronounced in diabetic patients, suggesting increased vulnerability of the periodontal tissues in the context of diabetes mellitus.

Conclusions Children diagnosed with Insulin-Dependent Diabetes Mellitus are at significantly increased risk of periodontal involvement, with clinical manifestations being more severe in those with poor metabolic control. These results highlight the need for rigorous monitoring and interdisciplinary collaboration between the diabetologist and the pediatric dentist, in order to optimize the oral health of these patients and prevent the periodontal complications commonly seen in diabetic adults.

DOI : 10.62610/RJOR.2025.3.17.5