Prevalence of Orofacial Complications in Iranian Patients with -Thalassemia Major

Abstract

Background: Major -thalassemia is the most common monogenic known disorder in Iran and about 15000 persons are af¬fected. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of orofacial complications. Methods: In this cross-sectional study during 2003-2004, 300 patients with major -thalassemia referring to 8 hospitals for routine examinations, blood infusion and treatment in cities of Tehran, Isfahan, Sari, Zahedan, Shahre Kord and Sanan¬dag were studied. The questionnaires included general information, medical and dental history. Results: The prevalence of orofacial complications in major -thalassemia was: saddle nose (67%), maxillary protrusion (49/7%), color change of oral mucousa (41/7%), rodent face (34/7%), deep bite (21/7%), spacing (20/7%), and open bite (8/7%), respectively. There was not any relationship between the complications and sex. Most of the patients (91%) were in the first and second decade of life. Early diagnosis and blood infusion caused less prevalence of rodent face. The most ob¬served type of occlusion was class 1, 2 and 3, respectively. Conclusion: Knowing the prevalence of complication can help the dentists to do properly for these patients to solve their prob¬lems and improve knowledge of the parents about their children’s dental health.