Prevalence of Oral Lesions and Their Association with Systematic Diseases Among Children

Media Assi Hussien  Ali; Azmar Sheraz Safaa  Al Talabani

doi:10.51699/vtjbsm14

Authors

Media Assi Hussien Ali Azadi Teaching Hospital, Kirkuk Health Directorate, Kirkuk, Iraq.
Azmar Sheraz Safaa Al Talabani Physiotherapy department, Baba gurgur University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.51699/vtjbsm14

Keywords:

Oral lesions, Oral candidiasis, Aphthous ulcers, children, Pediatric oral health

Abstract

Background: Pediatric oral lesions vary by developmental stage and sex, yet their distribution remains insufficiently characterized in young clinical populations worldwide. Aims of the study: This study aimed to characterize oral lesion patterns and examine their distribution according to age and sex among children. Methodology: This descriptive cross-sectional study included 14 children who underwent clinical oral examination at Azadi Teaching Hospital between January 3, 2026, and October 10, 2026. Children with complete demographic and diagnostic records were eligible, while incomplete or duplicated records were excluded. A trained clinician examined participants under adequate illumination using sterile instruments. Lesions were evaluated according to clinical appearance, anatomical location, and presenting features, then classified as oral candidiasis, aphthous ulcers, or viral oral infection. Age was analyzed continuously and categorized as <1, 1–<2, 2–<3, and ≥3 years. Result: The study included 14 children (mean age, 1.55±1.01 years), of whom 64.3% were female. Oral candidiasis was the predominant lesion, accounting for 71.4% of cases, whereas aphthous ulcers and viral infections each represented 14.3%. Candidiasis occurred in 66.7% of females and 80.0% of males. Lesion distribution did not differ significantly by sex (P=0.760) or age (P=0.210). Candidiasis was particularly frequent among children younger than two years, although subgroup estimates were limited by the small sample size and wide confidence intervals. Conclusions: Oral candidiasis predominated, particularly among children younger than two years. Lesion patterns were not significantly associated with age or sex. Larger population-based studies incorporating healthy controls, microbiological confirmation, and systemic clinical factors are needed to validate these preliminary findings.

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