ABSTRACT
The aim of this study is to assess the prevalence of periodontal diseases as well as dental caries in a group of diabetic children and adolescents and to study the subgingival microflora, Porphyromonas gingivalis [P.gingivalis]. The study was conducted on 70 type I diabetic patients, 20 healthy age-matched children and adolescents were included as a control group. Both patients and controls were subjected to periodontal examination and subgingival plaque samples for detection and quantitation of Porphyromonas gingivalis using PCR technique. Thirty eight among the seventy studied patients [54%] have been diagnosed as gingivitis [inflammation confined to the gingival], 9/70 [13%] as periodontitis [progressive destruction of periodontal ligament and alveolar bone with pocket formation], and the remaining 23 [33%] were periodontally healthy diabetics. A significantly higher percentage of Porphyromonas gingivalis positive PCR and higher DNA copies/ml were detected in periodontitis and gingivitis compared to periodontically healthy diabetics and healthy controls [P<0.05]. On comparing periodontitis and gingivitis groups, a statistically significant difference was detected [P<0.05] while periodontically healthy diabetics did not show any significant difference neither in positive PCR nor in DNA copies/ml compared to healthy controls [P<0.05]. Assessment of caries condition showed higher caries scores among diabetics than controls but this increase was statistically non significant [P>0.05]. A statistically significant difference was detected between age of the patient, disease duration, poor metabolic control and the development of periodontal disease. Periodontal diseases exist in a significant percentage of diabetic children and adolescents; higher age of the patient, longer duration of DM, and poor diabetic control are risk factors for the development of periodontitis and gingivitis; Porphyromonas gingivalis may be implicated in the development of periodontal disease. Detection and Quantitative analysis of this organism is important for the evaluation of periodontai diseases