Evaluation of Stomatognathic Problems in Children with Osteogenesis Imperfecta (Osteogenesis Imperfecta − OI) − Preliminary Study

According to epidemiological data, muscular dysfunctions of the masticatory system occur in 15-23% of the population. Preventive examinations of functional disorders of the stomatognathic system are, therefore, of particular importance. A distinct group of patients exposed to dysfunctions in the area of the masticatory organ locomotor apparatus comprises those with genetic diseases characterised by disorders in collagen formation. One of such diseases is osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) and dentinogenesis imperfecta that usually goes together with the former. AIM: The objective of this work was to evaluate the frequency with which particular disorders of the masticatory organ locomotor apparatus occur within the group of patients with osteogenesis imperfecta. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study was performed on patients of the Orthopaedic Clinic of the Polish-American Paediatric Institute in Kraków. The mean age of the children was 7.9 years. In all the cases, a genetic diagnosis of OI has been confirmed. The research methods were based on an in-depth interview on family diseases, pregnancy, postnatal period, feeding, subjective assessment of dysfunctions in the stomatognathic system. An examination of the deformations in the stomatognathic system and the skeleton was conducted, as well as an examination of the trauma and tone of the jaw. The relationship between breastfeeding and swallowing and speech disorders was also evaluated. The impact of intubation on mandibular ranges was investigated. RESULTS: The results obtained were subjected to statistical analysis on the basis of which conclusions were drawn concerning disorders in the stomatognathic system which tend to occur in children with OI. The renunciation of breastfeeding significantly contributes to sucking and swallowing disorders, rumen disorders, as well as biomechanical disorders in the temporomandibular joint. A significant dependence between breastfeeding and swallowing problems was found, whereas there was no such dependence with respect to speech impediments. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the research conducted led to the following conclusions: 1. Among pediatric patients with OI there are disorders in the stomatognathic system. The most common dysfunctions are: abdominal, swallowing and sucking disorders, abnormal muscle structure of the rumen and biomechanical disorders in the temporomandibular joints. Breastfeeding significantly contributes to swallowing disorders. 2. The therapeutic process involving children with OI requires the cooperation of specialists in orthopedics, pediatrics, physiotherapy, orthodontics and neurologopedics to carry out comprehensive diagnostics and treatment tailored to the individual needs of the patient. 3. In order to draw final conclusions, there is a need for more research by means of objective tools, such as EMG and a condensate recorder.