Background Fanconi anemia (FA) is an uncommon inherited disorder characterized by bone marrow failure, congenital anomalies, and increased susceptibility to malignancy. Early signs may appear in the oral cavity, making dental evaluation important for prompt detection in pediatric patients. This case highlights the importance of oral findings in early recognition of FA and the role of dentists in prompt referral and interdisciplinary management. Case report A 9-year-old girl presented with gingival bleeding for 1 month. Examination revealed severe gingival inflammation with intraoral petechiae. Routine blood tests revealed pancytopenia. Bone marrow biopsy revealed a hypocellular marrow, and FA was confirmed by cytogenetic analysis. Tooth #55 was extracted under hospital admission, following platelet transfusion and antibiotic prophylaxis. The patient subsequently underwent bone marrow transplantation (BMT) with immunosuppressive therapy and radiotherapy, resulting in complete resolution of gingival inflammation. She continues to be under regular follow-up with hematology and pediatric dental care. Conclusion Early identification of oral signs can aid dental professionals in suspecting systemic disorders such as FA, allowing timely referral, diagnosis, and multidisciplinary management.
D'souza et al. (Fri,) studied this question.