Long-Term Outcomes of Periodontal Interventions in Children with Leukemia: A Retrospective Analysis.

BACKGROUND

Leukemia and its treatment compromise oral health, increasing periodontal disease risk in children. This study evaluated the long-term effects of periodontal interventions in children with leukemia.

METHODS

We reviewed records of 85 children with leukemia receiving periodontal treatment at People's Dental Academy (2010-2020). Data included demographics, leukemia subtype (Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia [ALL], Acute Myeloid Leukemia [AML], others), chemotherapy, Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation [HSCT] history, periodontal diagnosis (gingivitis, periodontitis), interventions (scaling/root planing, surgery), and clinical parameters (Pocket Depth [PD], Clinical Attachment Level [CAL], Bleeding on Probing [BOP], radiographic bone loss) at baseline, one, three, and five years. Patients with ≥ three-year follow-up were included. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA).

RESULTS

The cohort comprised 45 ALL, 30 AML, and 10 other leukemia subtypes. At baseline, 70% had gingivitis, 30% periodontitis. Scaling/root planing was most common. At one year, PD (3.2 mm to 2.5 mm, P < 0.001) and BOP (60% to 25%, P < 0.001) significantly decreased. Improvements were maintained at three years (PD 2.2 mm, P < 0.01 vs 1 year) and five years. HSCT patients showed similar improvements. No significant differences existed between leukemia subtypes. One patient experienced minor gingival recession post-surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

Even after chemotherapy or HSCT, periodontal interventions sustain long-term periodontal health in children with leukemia. The importance of maintaining, as well as comprehensive oral health care and periodontal therapy stares at us from the five-year follow-up data. These results also illustrate the scant literature available on the long-term periodontal effects on these patients, pertaining to integrated dental practices. Further longitudinal research is warranted to confirm these results and identify additional risk factors.