Cyclosporin‐A‐induced gingival overgrowth in renal transplant children

Gingival overgrowth was assessed in renal transplant children, 19 boys and 13 girls, aged 2.5-18 yr, who had been on a cyclosporin-A (CsA)-based immunosuppressive regimen for at least 12 months. Data collected included number of posttransplant months, total CsA dose administered during the first 6 posttransplant months, oral dose and blood trough level of CsA on the day of examination, plaque accumulation (VPI%), gingival inflammation (GBI%), loss of attachment, and gingival overgrowth. Thirteen percent of the children exhibited gingival overgrowth characterized by one or more units with increased sulcus probing depth (> or = 4 mm), i.e. pseudopockets. The total amount of CsA administered during the first 6 posttransplant months was significantly higher in the children with gingival overgrowth than in those without. The study indicates that the development of CsA-induced gingival overgrowth is positively related to the total dose of the drug administered to the children during the first 6 posttransplant months.