Army Medical College, National University of Medical Sciences, Pakistan.
Autism. 2019 Jan;23(1):81-86. doi: 10.1177/1362361317730299. Epub 2017 Oct 27.
Comparison of oral health status, dental needs and dietary habits of children with autism and their healthy siblings. In this cross-sectional study, oral hygiene measures, sugar consumption and dental examination of 58 Pakistani children with autism spectrum disorder were assessed and compared to 27 of their siblings without autism spectrum disorder. Questionnaires were distributed to their parents regarding oral hygiene measures, dietary habits and past dental experiences. Clinical examination for the presence of dental caries, periodontal disease or parafunctional habits was carried out and findings were associated with the mother's education. Children with autism had a higher incidence of caries (50%) as compared to their healthy siblings (22.2%). Significant differences were observed between the groups regarding frequency of brushing and independent brushing. Dental plaque was observed on anterior teeth in 24% children with autism spectrum disorder as compared to 14% in the control group. Trauma due to self-injurious behaviour and bruxism was also recorded and compliance during clinical examination was noted in children with autism spectrum disorder. There was no significant difference in sugar consumption between children with autism spectrum disorder and their healthy siblings. Children with autism had greater dental needs and were more prone to developing dental problems as compared to their healthy siblings.
自闭症儿童及其健康兄弟姐妹的口腔健康状况、口腔需求和饮食习惯比较。在这项横断面研究中，评估了 58 名巴基斯坦自闭症谱系障碍儿童的口腔卫生措施、糖摄入量和牙科检查，并与 27 名无自闭症谱系障碍的兄弟姐妹进行了比较。向他们的父母发放了关于口腔卫生措施、饮食习惯和过去牙科经历的问卷。对存在龋齿、牙周病或口腔不良习惯的情况进行了临床检查，并将检查结果与母亲的教育程度相关联。自闭症儿童的龋齿发生率（50%）高于其健康兄弟姐妹（22.2%）。两组在刷牙频率和独立刷牙方面存在显著差异。在自闭症谱系障碍儿童中，有 24%的儿童在前牙上发现了牙菌斑，而对照组为 14%。还记录了因自我伤害行为和磨牙导致的创伤，以及在自闭症谱系障碍儿童的临床检查中的配合情况。自闭症谱系障碍儿童和他们的健康兄弟姐妹的糖摄入量没有显著差异。自闭症儿童的口腔需求更大，更容易出现口腔问题，与他们的健康兄弟姐妹相比。
