Comparison of oral health indices and parental awareness in children with and without idiopathic nephrotic syndrome. A case-control study.

BACKGROUND

Nephrotic syndrome (NS) is the most common pediatric kidney disorder and may adversely affect oral health. This study compared oral health status, parental awareness, and dietary habits in children with NS with those of healthy controls.

METHODS

A case-control study was conducted among children aged 5-14 years in a tertiary care center in Kerala, India, including 151 children with NS diagnosed per International Study of Kidney Diseases in Children criteria and 151 age-matched healthy controls. Oral health was assessed by evaluating decayed, missing and filled teeth (DMFT to indicate permanent dentition and dmft to indicate primary dentition), oral hygiene, gingival health and enamel defects.

RESULTS

Children with NS had significantly poorer oral hygiene (OHI-S: 0.70 ± 0.64 vs. 0.29 ± 0.54; p < 0.001) and greater gingival inflammation (GI: 0.39 ± 0.49 vs. 0.11 ± 0.31; p < 0.001). DMFT scores were higher in controls (1.48 ± 2.12 vs. 0.81 ± 1.72; p = 0.002). Age correlated positively with DMFT (NS: r = 0.268; non-NS: r = 0.401) and inversely with dmft (NS: r =  - 0.344; non-NS: r =  - 0.583; all p < 0.001). Children with NS had higher odds of infrequent dental visits (OR = 3.47, 95% CI 2.00-6.03) and regular brushing (OR = 3.47, 95% CI 2.00-6.03).

CONCLUSIONS

Children with nephrotic syndrome (NS) have poorer oral hygiene and gingival health despite lower sugar intake and reported oral practices, underscoring the influence of dentition stage and the need for integrated dental care and targeted oral health education in pediatric NS management.