Objective:Relationship of clinical neurophysiological peculiarities of spastic syndrome with caries affliction of teeth in children suffering from cerebral palsy.

MaterialsandMethods:122 children (anaverageagewas 8,8±3,7) withspasticformsofCPwereexamined. Theyweredistributedintogroupsaccordingto Gross Motor Function Classification System – ExpendedandRevised (GMFCS E&R). All the patients underwent neurological examination, their dental status was determined, and their teeth state was analyzed depending on the degree of motor disorders. Electromyoneurography (EMNG) was conducted, the state of oral hygiene and intensity of dental caries were determined.

Results and Discussion:The majority of the examined children were diagnosed to have spastic forms of CP. EMNG examination of CP patients found neurophysiological signs of supra-segmental disorders, determined degree of spastic syndrome intensity and motor disorders. A reliable 56,6% amplitude increase of F-wave was observed in children with intense motor disorders in comparison with patients having mild neurological changes. Caries occurrence in children with CP was found to be 100%, intensity of dental caries on an average was 6,27±1,19, and its values were maximum among children with more intense disorders of motor functions. Correlations were found between EMNG values, oral hygiene index and permanent teeth caries (PTC).

Conclusions:Caries intensity among children with CP increases depending on intensity of motor function disorders. The more intensive motor disorders in children with CP are, the deeper neurophysiological changes become with increase of signs of supra-segmental disorders. Direct correlations between neurophysiological parameters and oral hygiene index found can be one of the causes stipulating increased affliction of teeth by caries in children with increase of intensity of motor disorders.