Background: Few studies regarding the distribution of pediatric oral diseases are available. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the incidence and demographic profile of neoplasms and non-neoplastic lesions among children and adolescents (0-19 years old).
Methods: A retrospective descriptive cross-sectional study was performed and data regarding gender, age, anatomical location, and histopathological diagnosis were collected and categorized. Biopsy records were obtained from the archives of a Brazilian referral center between 1980 and 2016.
Results: A total of 2.114 pediatric patient biopsy records were analyzed, where most cases were diagnosed in patients aged 10 to 19 years old (80.7%). Females were more affected (n = 1180) and the lip (n = 507) was the most common anatomical site. Reactive and inflammatory lesions (n = 942) were the most prevalent non-neoplastic pathologies, followed by cysts (n = 308). Benign neoplasms were the most frequent among neoplasms (n = 346) and malignant cases were very rare (n = 11).
Conclusions: An increase in the prevalence of lesions in the second decade of life was observed, where reactive and inflammatory lesions, cysts, and benign neoplasms were most frequent.
Clinical relevance: Biopsy data allows for the real characterization of the incidence of oral and maxillofacial lesions and, thus, permits Brazilian dentists and pediatricians to diagnose these diseases.
Keywords: Biopsy; Epidemiology; Oral pathology; Pediatric.