Skeletal and dental age discrepancy and occlusal traits in children with growth hormone deficiency and idiopathic short stature

• Published in: Clinical oral investigations Vol. 26; no. 10; pp. 6165 - 6175
• Main Authors: Torlińska-Walkowiak, Natalia, Majewska, Katarzyna Anna, Sowińska, Anna, Kędzia, Andrzej, Opydo-Szymaczek, Justyna
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin/Heidelberg Springer Berlin Heidelberg 01-10-2022; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Age; Children; Dentistry; Growth hormones; Medicine; Original Article; Patients; Physical growth; Short stature; Children; Dental age; Dental crowding; Bone age; Growth hormone deficiency
• ISSN: 1436-3771; 1432-6981; 1436-3771
• DOI: 10.1007/s00784-022-04566-y

Objectives
The aim of the study was to evaluate the dental and bone age delay and occlusal traits of children with growth hormone deficiency (GHD) and idiopathic short stature (ISS).
Material and methods
The study group included 46 patients aged 5 to 14 years: 15 with ISS, 17 with GHD before growth hormone treatment, and 14 with GHD during substitution therapy. The control group consisted of 46 age and sex-matched subjects of normal height. A calibrated dentist assessed all subjects in terms of dental age and occlusal characteristics. Bone age was evaluated only in GHD and ISS children as a part of a hospital’s diagnostic protocol.
Results
The subgroup of GHD before treatment differed significantly concerning dental age delay from their healthy peers (− 0.34 and 0.83 year, respectively,
p
 = 0.039). Dental age delay in short stature children was less marked than bone age delay (− 0.12 and − 1.76, respectively,
p
 < 0.00001). Dental crowding was recorded in 57% of ISS patients and 53% of GHD children before treatment compared to only 22% of the control subjects (
p
 = 0.027 and
p
 = 0.021, respectively).
Conclusions
Dental age was retarded in GHD children before growth hormone (GH) therapy, but the delay does not seem clinically significant. ISS children and GHD children before therapy showed marked bone age delay and tendency to crowding.
Clinical relevance
The different pace of teeth eruption and skeletal growth in short stature children should be considered when planning their dental treatment.