Incidence of phenytoin induced gingival overgrowth in epileptic children: a six month evaluation.

Thirty children aged 8-13 years with epileptic disorders and receiving mono-drug therapy with Phenytoin, were selected from the Departments of Pediatrics and Neurology of PGIMER, Chandigarh to evaluate the development of gingival overgrowth induced by phenytoin over a period of six months. These children were evaluated at baseline at three monthly intervals for a period of six months for plaque (Silness and Loe, 1964), gingivitis (Loe and Silness, 1963) and probing depth of the gingival sulcus. Gingival overgrowth was noted as and when it developed using modified version of Harris and Ewalt Index, 1942. No attempt was made to modify the childrens' prevailing oral habits. The results indicated that gingival overgrowth in 57% of the children was in the mesio-distal dimension of the gingival papillae and occurred within six months of initiation of therapy with Phenytoin.