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Purpose <p>The aim of the present study was to determine the prevalence and identify factors associated with oral pathologies amongst children and adolescents with cerebral palsy (CP) in Cameroon.</p> Methods <p>A descriptive cross-sectional study with an analytical component was conducted between December 2023 and June 2024 in four specialised institutions. A structured questionnaire, developed specifically for the present study and adapted from WHO oral health survey protocols, was the tool used to collect three types of data from participants: their sociodemographic profile, their oral hygiene practices, and the results of their clinical examinations for oral pathologies. Comorbidities were assessed to identify potential risk factors associated with oral pathologies in this population. Binary logistic regression was performed to identify risk factors, with odds ratios (OR) and <i>p</i> values calculated to assess associations, considering a <i>p</i> value &lt; 0.05 as statistically significant.</p> Results <p>126 children and adolescents with CP (54.8% boys) aged 2–17&#xa0;years, with a mean age of 6.3 ± 3.6&#xa0;years were recruited. Spastic CP was the most common type (88.9%). The prevalence of dental caries was 55.5% (95% CI 46.8, 63.9%), with a mean DMFT index of 2.96 ± 2.5. The prevalence of periodontal diseases was 81% (95% CI 73.5, 87.3%). Common comorbidities included drooling (53.2%), epilepsy (17.5%), visual impairment (10.3%), and hearing impairment (7.1%). Regarding oral health, 17.5% of caregivers received prior oral health education, 84.1% of children had never had a dental consultation, and 21.4% lacked a toothbrush. Multivariate analysis revealed visual impairment as an independent risk factor for dental trauma (aOR = 3.33, <i>p</i> = 0.033), MACS level 4 for orthodontic anomalies (aOR = 0.346, <i>p</i> = 0.02), and GMFCS level 2 for dental dyschromia (aOR = 0.268, <i>p</i> = 0.007).</p> Conclusion <p>Oral pathologies are highly prevalent amongst Cameroonian children with CP. Improving oral health requires caregiver education, regular dental visits, and incorporating functional motor assessments into oral health screening protocols.</p>

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Prevalence of oral pathologies in children and adolescents with cerebral palsy: a cross-sectional study in specialised care settings in Cameroon

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年1月22日

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  • D. Enyama,
  • W. Messina Ebogo,
  • A. M. Guidioum Noubouowo,
  • S. B. Amadou,
  • D. Noukeu Njinkui,
  • A. M. Agbor

摘要

Purpose

The aim of the present study was to determine the prevalence and identify factors associated with oral pathologies amongst children and adolescents with cerebral palsy (CP) in Cameroon.

Methods

A descriptive cross-sectional study with an analytical component was conducted between December 2023 and June 2024 in four specialised institutions. A structured questionnaire, developed specifically for the present study and adapted from WHO oral health survey protocols, was the tool used to collect three types of data from participants: their sociodemographic profile, their oral hygiene practices, and the results of their clinical examinations for oral pathologies. Comorbidities were assessed to identify potential risk factors associated with oral pathologies in this population. Binary logistic regression was performed to identify risk factors, with odds ratios (OR) and p values calculated to assess associations, considering a p value < 0.05 as statistically significant.

Results

126 children and adolescents with CP (54.8% boys) aged 2–17 years, with a mean age of 6.3 ± 3.6 years were recruited. Spastic CP was the most common type (88.9%). The prevalence of dental caries was 55.5% (95% CI 46.8, 63.9%), with a mean DMFT index of 2.96 ± 2.5. The prevalence of periodontal diseases was 81% (95% CI 73.5, 87.3%). Common comorbidities included drooling (53.2%), epilepsy (17.5%), visual impairment (10.3%), and hearing impairment (7.1%). Regarding oral health, 17.5% of caregivers received prior oral health education, 84.1% of children had never had a dental consultation, and 21.4% lacked a toothbrush. Multivariate analysis revealed visual impairment as an independent risk factor for dental trauma (aOR = 3.33, p = 0.033), MACS level 4 for orthodontic anomalies (aOR = 0.346, p = 0.02), and GMFCS level 2 for dental dyschromia (aOR = 0.268, p = 0.007).

Conclusion

Oral pathologies are highly prevalent amongst Cameroonian children with CP. Improving oral health requires caregiver education, regular dental visits, and incorporating functional motor assessments into oral health screening protocols.