Background:
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is characterized by impairments in social
interaction and communication, restricted patterns of behavior, and unusual sensory
sensitivities. Symptoms of autism occur in some infants, while some children are diagnosed
in 2-3 years. There was a direct and indirect relationship between the dental caries and the
physical growth among children. The study purpose was to determine the oral health and the
body growth status among children with Autism spectrum disorder.
Methods:
The study population consisted of 53 children, who were diagnosed as “ASD”
and approved by psychiatrist between the age of 3-18. The dental examination was done
under recommendation by WHO (2013) and oral hygiene index was calculated by FedorovVolodkina (1973). Body growth status was evaluated by Kaup and Rohrer’s index. The results
of the study were processed using statistical Stata-21 software.
Results:
The prevalence of dental caries among all children with Autism spectrum disorder
was 88.6% and mean DMFT score were 2.6±3.0 in the primary dentition, 6.1±3.8 in the mixed
and 4.0±2.3 in the permanent dentition. Children with good oral hygiene index were 32% of
all study population and poor were 68%. When we assessed the body growth status, normal
weight children were 52.8%, overweight children were 18.9% and lower weight was 28.3% of
all study poptulation.
Conclusion
We have found that the oral health and the body growth status among
children with ASD were poor.