The significance of age group, gender and skin complexion in relation to the clinical distribution of developmental oral mucosal alterations in 5-13 year-old children.

INTRODUCTION

To describe the relationship and impact of age group, gender and skin complexion on the prevalence and clinical distribution of oral mucosal alterations of developmental origin (OMA-DO) among school children aged 5-13 years.

METHODS

A randomized representative national survey of Jordanian school children including all Country geographic areas was performed. Cut-off age that significantly correlated with presence and distribution of OMA-DO was identified (ROC curve). Skin complexion was classified into light/fair, intermediate/tan, dark/brown based on skin complexion index. Chi square test with P value≤0.05 was used for significance of correlations.

RESULTS

Two thousand two hundred and fifty one children were clinically examined. The average age that significantly correlated with prevalence and distribution of OMA-DO was 9.9 years. Female gender was significantly correlated with four OMA-DO: leukoedema (L), linea Alba (LA), Fordyce's granules (FG), commissural lip pits (CLP) and wider distribution of racial pigmentations (RP) (P<0.05, χ2 test). Older age group (9.9-13 years) was significantly correlated with 7 OMA-DO: L, LA, FG, frenal tag, CLP, mandibular and maxillary tori (MT) as well as wider clinical distribution of RP, FG, L (P<0.05 χ2 test). Dark skin complexion significantly correlated with 5 OMA-DO: L, LA, FG, RP, MT and wider clinical distribution of RP (P<0.02, χ2 test).

CONCLUSIONS

Increased prevalence and wider clinical distribution of OMA-DO are significantly associated with older age group of 9.9-13 years, female gender, and dark skin complexion. Oral health care provides are encouraged to be familiar with these correlations. This knowledge is expected to improve OMA-DO diagnosis and clinical management. Continuous education programs in this field are recommended.